Shubham Kumar identified as 23-year-old who lost life at lake Wainamu

Police have released the name of the 23-year-old whose body was recovered from Lake Wainamu on 9 December 2025.

Shubham Kumar, who was in the water with three friends at the time of the incident, had visited the lake for an evening outing.

The Indian Weekender spoke to his friend, who was present at the time of the incident. 

“Four of us, including Shubham, reached Lake Wainamu around 6 in the evening,” said one friend, who wished to remain anonymous.

 “We had only been swimming for one or two minutes. Shubham was right next to me.”

The friend described the lake, saying that while the “beach-type” area had stable ground, there was a deep section they had not realised existed.

“It was like a hole. My friend’s body, when recovered, was found in deep waters,” he explained.

Emergency services were called to the lake at Bethells Beach at around 6.10pm on 8 December. 

The friend said they had screamed for help when Shubham went under, “but it was to no avail.”

“There was nobody present to help, no diver, and no sign warning us that the lake is deep,” he claimed.

The Police National Dive Squad was called in to assist, and police announced just after 5pm on Tuesday that a body had been recovered. Lifeguards from the Bethells Beach Surf Lifesaving Club also assisted in the search.

Shubham’s friend told The Indian Weekender his message to the public is, “my main concern is please stay away from water if you don’t know how to swim. My friend also did not know how to swim.”

The friend, who has known Shubham for 12 years, said they grew up together and came to New Zealand at the same time.

Police previously stated that Shubham had taken a few steps before falling into a deep section of the lake and did not resurface.

According to the friend, the family has been informed, and the body will be repatriated to India.

"Police extend our condolences to his friends and family for their loss," the police shared in a press statement.