Couple owe their lives to Dart River Rescuers

Two people who were plucked from Lake Wakatipu on Friday night after an ill-equipped attempt to go camping on an island, are lucky to be alive, Queenstown Harbourmaster Marty Black says.

Staff from Dart River Jet rescued the pair after an hour-long search, and Mr Black said the two owe their lives to the jetboat crew.

They had set off to row to Pigeon Island in an inflatable boat, with one lifejacket and two oars between them. One of the oars broke and it appeared the boat either took on water or capsized.

They used a cellphone to call for police, and Mr Black said Dart River’s crew and a local helicopter spent an hour searching in the dark before the boat’s crew heard cries for help around 7pm.

“When they found this paid, they were hyperthermic and could hardly speak. They are incredibly lucky to be alive.”

Mr Black said that the only thing the pair appeared to have done right was to take a cellphone with them so that they could call for help. The inflatable boat and oars were not suited for rowing across the lake; they did not have lifejackets for each person on board; and setting off so late in the day was unwise.

ENDS

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