Police name seven-year-old boy who drowned at Tangimoana Beach

Police have released the name of a seven-year-old boy who died after being swept out to sea at Tangimoana Beach in Manawatū on Friday. The child has been identified as Ryder Hayden Coley-Clark from Whanganui.

Emergency services responded to the beach at approximately 2.30pm following reports that two people were swept out to sea while swimming. While one individual reached the shore safely, the boy was found dead at the scene at about 3.50pm.

“Our thoughts are with his whānau and friends at this difficult time,” police said in a statement released on Monday.

This incident marks the third death at Tangimoana Beach in recent weeks. On 14 September, two people died and one person was hospitalised after a boat capsized near the Rangitīkei River mouth.

Where reports differ

• One report states this was the second tragedy at the beach in less than a month, while another states it was the third death in recent weeks

Compiled from reports by The Post and Otago Daily Times.