A man has drowned in a Coromandel boating incident and police say his death was avoidable. The man and a friend were in an 18-foot runabout which sank in heavy seas about 7.20 last night.

A woman was able to help the sole survivor ashore and call for help. Local boaties soon found the second man, but revival efforts were not successful.

Acting Eastern Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Marcus Lynam says the incident is was all the more tragic in that the man’s death could have been avoided had the pair been wearing lifejackets.

He says a family is now starting the New Year in the most tragic of circumstances, and he hopes others can avoid such dreadful circumstances by taking some simple safety steps. Those steps include wearing a life jacket, keeping within the limits of your vessel, and checking the marine weather forecast before you head out.

– NewstalkZB