A person missing after a boat capsized on a bar west of Invercargill yesterday afternoon has been found dead.
Two people were pulled from the water alive yesterday – one of whom remains in hospital – while two others were found dead.
Emergency services and Search and Rescue personnel were called to the capsize around 2.55pm, according to New Zealand Police Southland area commander Mike Bowman.
“A significant resource was deployed in response to this incident, including police, Coastguard Riverton, Coastguard Bluff, Hato Hone St John, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and SAR volunteers.”
The missing person was found dead in the water yesterday as the rescue helicopter was carrying out the “last sweep of the night” before returning to base, he said.
“This was a heart-wrenching incident, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the whānau of those involved, who are being supported.”
Two people were pulled from the sea alive, but it was too late for a husband and wife on board. (Source: 1News)
Bowman commended all staff involved, saying they responded swiftly and brought all five people home.
“While this was not the result we were hoping for, we are pleased to have been able to recover two of the occupants alive and be able to play our part in returning the deceased to their loved ones.
“Further information regarding the deceased will be released when we are in a position to do so.”
‘Absolutely saddened’
Riverton Coastguard Controller Noel Anderson said their rescue vessel with four volunteers onboard was launched within six minutes of being alerted to the incident yesterday afternoon. It was followed soon after by two volunteers on a jet ski and eight volunteers on the shore.
The boat was spotted with one person “alive, hanging on to the capsized vessel”.
“We also came across another trailer boat that was coming in – across the Riverton bar – and they had found and retrieved one other live person,” Anderson said.
The volunteers then learned people had died in the tragedy and that they would be taken back to the Coastguard base to waiting emergency services.
“Unfortunately, we’re all grieving for the families and our condolences goes to the families, to the people involved in the three tragic fatalities. We’re absolutely saddened by this.”
Anderson, who has been involved with the Riverton Coastguard for more than five decades, said it was formed in 1958 following a double training on the Riverton bar.
“Now, we’ve never had a triple drowning on this bar in my time.”
He said all bars across the country “create a hazard – it’s a hazardous area, and so is Riverton”.
“Yesterday, with the nature of the beast, it went terribly wrong and we’re just so saddened for the families.”
