Police have confirmed that a visitor who died on Sunday likely drowned, possibly due to underlying medical conditions.

Police media/strategic advisor Trevor Pitt said the deceased, a British national, was 80 years old and was holidaying in Rarotonga with his wife.

Police were called at 11.20am on Sunday after the man was recovered unconscious from the water in Muri.

Pitt said the cause of death is “likely drowning with possible contribution of underlying medical conditions … contributed by possible underlying causes”.

The resort where the couple was accommodated says they are providing all possible assistance to the family during this difficult time, especially to the victim’s wife.

The family has requested privacy, and this should be respected.

This is the second drowning related death reported this year, following the death of a 49-year-old New Zealand woman in a water-related incident while holidaying in May. The woman was reportedly responsive at the incident site but was pronounced dead at hospital.

Meanwhile, the pedestrian who was struck by a taxi van in Arorangi over the weekend remains in critical condition, Pitt said

Police said they were told that the man suddenly went onto the road and was hit by the taxi van on Sunday morning.