Man drowns after boat overturns

New Plymouth Police have launched an investigation after two men were thrown from a small boat on the Waitara River mouth resulting in the death of one just before 12 noon today.

Senior Sergeant Thomas McIntyre of the New Plymouth Police says: "The two men, one local and a Chinese national had been out fishing earlier this morning.

As they were trying to cross the Waitara Bar it appears the small inflatable boat they were in overturned after being struck by a wave."

Both men were thrown from the boat into the water.

During this time the boat has righted itself with the motor still running.

"The two men were about 200 meters from shore when a local surfer has seen them struggling in the water.

He managed to get to the boat and use it to get the men out of the water.

"The surfer has managed to get the boat and the two men to shore where paramedics have attempted to revive the Chinese man who was unconscious. Unfortunately he was unable to be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene."

The surviving man, aged in his 60s, suffered minor hypothermia and was treated by ambulance staff.

"There is no doubt the surfer saved the life of the other man who was in the boat when it overturned.

His actions are commendable and we are continuing to speak to him and other witnesses in an effort to piece together the sequence of events.

"Both men were not wearing life jackets at the time the boat overturned, and this tragedy is a stark reminder of the importance of wearing a life jacket when you are out on the water."

The Taranaki Rescue chopper was deployed along with Surf lifesaving and Coastguard.

Police will not release the name of the deceased man until formal identification has been completed and his next of kin has been informed.

ENDS

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