Update 09.02.16: The teen who died in a “freak accident” after leaping off Raglan’s Te Kopua bridge has been named as Richard Keremeta.
Police can now confirm that a 17 year old male has been spoken to regarding the tragedy in Raglan yesterday. The man came forward – and been cleared of any wrongdoing – in relation to a fatal jumping accident at Raglan yesterday. The youth is receiving appropriate welfare services and the matter is now before the Coroner.
Police extend their condolences to the Keremeta family in their time of mourning.
Andrew O’Reilly
Senior Sergeant
A tragic death occurred after a jump from the Papahua footbridge early this afternoon (8.02.16). The 16-year-old Raglan teen, who died after the jump, is yet to be named by the Police. He was among a group of teenagers jumping from the footbridge which links Raglan CBD with the Raglan Domain (Te Kopua).
Friends and family located the boy 10 minutes later after the jump. Emergency services worked for an hour to resuscitate him but to no avail.
Friends grouped together to say a karakia and sing a waiata in his honour. A group of about 50 were at the Raglan Fire Station to perform a haka before a hearse took the boy’s body away. Friends and whanau have been paying tribute to the teenager.
Raglan Area School principal Malcolm Cox said the victim was a “fine young man”. “We’ll miss him,” he said. “It’s a huge grieving time for us.” He had been at the school for six years.
Senior Sergeant Andrew Townsend confirmed police had attended the tragedy just another 12 noon. Raglan Volunteer Firefighters were called out to assist the Raglan St John Ambulance service about 12.22pm and prepare the helicopter landing pad. The Westpac Rescue helicopter flew to Raglan just before 1pm and assisted.
A witness said the teenager who jumped from the bridge failed to resurface and was under the water for some time. CPR was given to the teenager when he was brought ashore.
Our thought are with his family now.