Man who died at Karioitahi Beach last week, named

Police have released the name of a man who died after swimmers were caught in a rip at Karioitahi Beach last week.

He was 26-year-old Ali Hayder Hadi, of Te Atatū Peninsula.

Emergency services were called to the beach shortly after 7pm on December 8, after two people got into difficulty in the water near the Karioitahi Surf Lifesaving Club.

Police notified Surf Life Saving New Zealand at 7.16pm that two swimmers were in trouble.

A Surf Life Saving spokesperson says search and rescue teams responded with one rescue watercraft and two inflatable rescue boats.

One swimmer was rescued by lifeguards and brought safely back to shore.

“A search continued for the second person, who was located in the water by the Police Eagle helicopter and recovered by lifeguards. CPR was initiated immediately, but the person was unable to be revived and was pronounced deceased by paramedics,” the spokesperson said last week.

Ali had been at Karioitahi Beach with his brother and two friends when they got into difficulty. His brother was able to make it back to safety on the beach.

A spokesperson for the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter says the crew was tasked by Police at 7.25pm and responded alongside Surf Life Saving New Zealand, ambulance and Police. Helicopter transport was not required and the crew later returned to base.

Counties Manukau South Area Commander Inspector Jared Pirret says Police were called at about 7.10pm.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s friends and family for their loss, as well as those responders who did their utmost to bring about a good outcome last night,” Pirret says.

“Any death at our beaches has an impact on them.”

Ali’s death will be referred to the Coroner.

A rāhui was placed at Karioitahi Beach on December 9 by local iwi.