Man who died at Christchurch beach named

Police have named the man who died after suffering a medical event at Christchurch’s Sumner beach on Sunday.

He was Hemi Tuki, 51, from Christchurch.

“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of Hemi at this difficult time,” police said.

His death has been referred to the coroner.

Police were called to Scarborough about 12.10pm on Sunday to reports that a person in the water may have suffered a medical event.

“Coastguard Sumner assisted in bringing the person to shore at Sumner, where sadly the man was unable to be revived,” police said.

Hato Hone St John received a call at 12.12pm about an incident in Scarborough and responded with an ambulance and two operations managers. It referred further inquiries to police.

A local paddleboarder and three surfers went to the aid of the man about 200m-300m from the shore.

Coastguard Sumner volunteers said they responded to “an unresponsive paddleboarder” off Scarborough and that surfers found the person and tried to help them.

Coastguard Sumner’s jetboat, HamiltonJet Rescue, was returning from training and reached the scene within minutes.

Volunteers brought the person aboard and back to the boat ramp, where they gave CPR, oxygen and defibrillation for an extended period.

Coastguard Sumner volunteers responded to the event on Sunday. Photo / Supplied

“Sadly, the person couldn’t be revived,” Coastguard Sumner said in a statement.

Sixteen Coastguard volunteers responded, on the water and onshore. They were joined by two medical professionals from the public, a Surf Life Saving medic, a Fire and Emergency New Zealand first response unit and police.

“Coastguard’s thoughts are with the family and the local community.”

The beach was a busy place on Sunday as the city basked in 23C.