Two people die after being swept away by the rocks

A man and a woman who drowned on an Auckland beach this afternoon were fishing on slippery rocks when they fell.

Emergency services were called at West Auckland's Muriwai Beach at 2 pm and the two men were removed from the waves. One person died at the beach and another, who was taken to hospital in critical condition, died soon after.

Tim Jago, volunteer president of Muriwai's Rescue Service, said the rocks were unfair. "They were fishing in an area called Flat Rock, which locals call" the cave. "

"This is not a great place to swim or fish. The rocks are covered with seaweed and incredibly perfidious. "

Witnesses saw a fisherman skidding and the other trying to save them by lengthening their fishing rod, he said.

This person then slipped into the water." Is one of those all-too-common situations where the spectator, doing a rescue, ends up drowning too, "says Jago.

Muriwai Beach is known for its heavy rips and swells

"The surf is really noisy, it comes in all directions." The bar, so it was a very difficult recovery.

"The water is damn cold, our rescuers n & # 39; They did not like being there at all. "

Mr. Jago said the beaches were very well signed surf conditions, rocks and currents.

" [They were wearing] heavy clothing, not life jacket – it was never going to end well when they were in the water. "

The Auckland website classified Muriwai and Māori Bay as dangerous surfing and warned swimmers to stay out of the water if there were no lifeguards in the area. service.