New Zealand Police have released the name of the young man whose body was recovered from Lake Wainamu after a drowning incident last week, confirming him as 23-year-old Shubham Kumar.
Shubham had gone to the lake near Bethells Beach for an evening outing with three friends on 8 December 2025. Emergency services were called to the scene at about 6.10pm after he failed to resurface while swimming.
Speaking to The Indian Weekender, one of Shubham’s friends, who asked not to be identified, said the group arrived at the lake around 6pm and had been in the water for only a short time.
“Four of us, including Shubham, reached Lake Wainamu around six in the evening,” the friend said.
“We had only been swimming for one or two minutes. Shubham was right next to me.”
He described the area as appearing safe at first glance, with a beach-like section that seemed shallow and stable. However, he said the group was unaware of a sudden drop-off in the lake bed.
“It was like a hole,” he said.
“My friend’s body, when recovered, was found in deep water.”
The friend said they shouted for help when Shubham went under, but there was no immediate assistance available.
“There was nobody present to help, no diver, and no sign warning us that the lake is deep.”
Police earlier said Shubham was in waist-deep water with his friends when he took a few steps forward, fell into a deeper section and did not resurface.
The Police National Dive Squad was deployed to assist with the search, alongside lifeguards from the Bethells Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. Police confirmed just after 5pm on Tuesday, 9 December, that a body had been recovered from the lake.
Shubham’s friend, who said he had known him for 12 years, added that they grew up together and moved to New Zealand at the same time. He urged others to take care around unfamiliar waterways.
“My main concern is please stay away from water if you don’t know how to swim,” he said.
“My friend also did not know how to swim.”
Police confirmed Shubham’s family has been informed and arrangements are being made to repatriate his body to India. His death has been referred to the Coroner.
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