(file image) Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
A child has died after being injured at Waikanae Beach in Gisborne.
Police said initial indications were that the child sustained an injury on the beach on Wednesday night, and died soon after.
Bystanders tried to save the child, Surf Life Saving eastern lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell said.
"There were a few people on the beach at the time, they've been able to provide assistance to the person in trouble and then there's been an off duty lifeguard there ... who's also helped with [getting] some equipment from the club to some of the first responders."
There were no on duty lifeguards there at the time because the council funded weekday patrols finished last week, and volunteers only patrol on weekends, Gibbons-Campbell said.
Police said the death would be referred to the Coroner.