Waikato Police have released the names of two men who died in separate incidents in the ocean on opposing coasts yesterday afternoon.
In the first incident emergency services were called to Ruamahunga, between Thames and Tapu, about 2.05pm after reports an elderly man had died in the water off the Waikawau Boat Ramp.
The death of 72-year-old Gordonton man, Inglis Tutuhou HENRY, is not considered suspicious and has been reported to the Coroner.
A short time later emergency services were called to the Waikato's east coast following a drowning between Kawhia and Albatross Point about 3pm.
In that incident four men from a group of five on a boat had pulled up to go free diving for Paua about 30m from shore.
One of the men became tired and got into difficulty and a companion helped him to a rock however the men became separated in the swell and 42-year-old Hamilton man, Wayne Tehau BELMONT, was next seen lying face down in the water.
Taken to shore by his companions the men were unable to revive him despite doing CPR.
Mr BELMONT'S death has also been reported to the Coroner.
The death of the two men yesterday brings the number of people who have died in the ocean in the Waikato to three following the death of a man after a boat was swamped off Coleville on Friday evening.
Waikato Police are urging those going into rivers, lakes or sea to recognise the limitations of their abilities and work to them least they find themselves in difficulties a long way from help.
They ask people to do what they oughta by being safe in the water.
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