One person dies after being swept out to sea at Tangimoana Beach
Friday 9 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Hato Hone St John, New Zealand Defence Force, Coastguard, Surf Life Saving New Zealand
A person, believed to be a child, has died following a water-related incident at Tangimoana Beach on Friday afternoon. Police were called after two people were swept out to sea while swimming, though one individual managed to reach the shore safely.
Key facts
4 facts
- Incident occurred at Tangimoana Beach, Manawatū, on Friday afternoon
- Police were called at approximately 2.30pm
- One person was found dead at approximately 3.50pm
- Two people died and one was injured in a boat capsizing at the same location last month
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
A person died following a water-related incident at Tangimoana Beach on Friday afternoon. Police were called to Tangimoana Beach Road at approximately 2.30pm after reports that two people were swept out to sea while swimming. One individual managed to self-rescue and reach the shore safely.
A second person was located deceased at around 3.50pm. While one report states the deceased is believed to be a child, others do not specify the age. A witness at the scene described seeing the “lifeless” body of a child being taken from the sea.
Emergency responders included Hato Hone St John, the New Zealand Defence Force, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, and members of the public. Coastguard Manawatū and Coastguard Whanganui provided drift and current modelling and issued a call over marine radio for assistance.
This incident follows a boat capsizing near the mouth of the Rangitīkei River last month, which resulted in two deaths and one injury. This latest event marks the third death at the river mouth within a month.
Where reports differ
- One report identifies the deceased as believed to be a child, whereas others refer to the person generally
- One report describes this as the third death at the river mouth in a month, while others describe it as the second tragedy at the beach in less than a month
Compiled from reports by 1News, The Post and NZ Herald.
