A man in his 60s has drowned in Mount Maunganui.
The Tauranga Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter says the man was taking part in the Sand to Surf race, though race organisers have not confirmed this.
The man was found by surf life savers, and the helicopter guided a rescue boat to the scene. The man was brought to shore where St John's paramedics carried out CPR, to no avail.
Police were called to the scene just before 11:30am.
A competitor at the event told Newshub the race was well-organised, and had decent safety measures in place.
She said the drowning happened a fair distance from where the race was, well after the bulk of the swimmers had finished.
The race is part of the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.
Newshub.
