A person has died following a water-related incident at a Manawatū beach this afternoon.
Police said it was called to Tangimoana Beach Rd at about 2.30pm after reports of two people swept out to sea while swimming.
"One person has managed to self rescue and reach the shore safely," a police spokesperson said.
"Sadly, at around 3.50pm, one person was located deceased."
Hato Hone St John said an ambulance, a rapid response unit, an operations manager and a helicopter responded to the scene.
"Our ambulance staff assessed one patient in a minor condition," it said.
Coastguard said it provided drift and current modelling to help direct the search and put out a call over marine radio asking anyone on the water nearby to help.
New Zealand Defence Force, Surf Life Saving New Zealand and members of the public also responded to the incident.
Inquiries into the circumstances of the incident were ongoing.
Tangimoana Beach is located at the mouth of the Rangitīkei River, around 30km west of Palmerston North.
Last month, two people died and another was injured when a boat capsized near the river mouth.
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