Photo: Laurilee McMichael/NZ HeraldRevellers were seen partying in hot pools on the shores of Lake Taupō 12 hours before two bodies were discovered in the water today. A local man who was at the lake last night said around 7.30pm he walked passed two women and a man at the popular Hot Water Beach spot who appeared intoxicated. Police are today trying to work out how two people died after their bodies were discovered by a walker submerged in the water around 7am. He saw one of the women emerge from a pool wrapped in a towel while the man was dangling his legs in the hot water. Investigations are underway after two bodies were discovered on the shore of Lake Taupō this morning.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 15, 2020 20:17 UTC