Tragic Accident A Parents Worse Nightmare Finds Coroner

The tragic fatal fall by a 13-year-old boy at Hahei Beach in January has been described by the coroner as a parent’s worst nightmare.

Coroner Michael Robb has released his findings of the January 11 incident saying it was tragic accident where an everyday childhood activity went dramatically wrong.

The boy, whose name is withheld due to a suppression order, was on holiday at Hahei Beach Resort with a friend and her family.

With the friend he spent the afternoon paddleboarding and exploring before returning to the campground for dinner.

The coroner found that after 7pm, they went for an evening walk, which the friend’s father believed would stay near the campsite, with no mention of climbing.

The pair reached the beach and began climbing rocks toward a steep cliff. The boy led, advising his friend to check each rock for stability. As they ascended, the friend expressed concern about their height and inability to climb down, so they agreed to reach the top and return via a path.

Tragically, as the friend looked down to assess their height, she saw the boy fall past her. Stranded, she called for help.

A bystander, observing the fall from an estimated 10-15 meters, found the boy unresponsive with a severe head injury, though still breathing, and contacted emergency services.

Despite efforts from paramedics, Fire and Emergency New Zealand officers, and a Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the boy was pronounced dead at 9:15pm.

The friend’s father, searching for the pair around 8:30pm, learned of the incident after spotting the rescue helicopter. The friend was rescued from the cliff around 11:55pm, in shock but uninjured.

Coroner Robb noted the children did not fully comprehend the risks of climbing the sheer rock face, stating that “even a 13-year-old is still a child, and that child can lack judgement and full appreciation of potential consequences.”