Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) can confirm that surf lifeguards from both Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi and Sunset Beach Lifeguard Service responded to an incident on the Waikato Bar this morning (18 October 2025).

At 7.24am, Surf Life Saving received notification from New Zealand Police that a vessel had capsized and people were in the water. The two teams were activated and responded to assist.

Three people were retrieved from the water and taken to the beach near Port Waikato to meet emergency services at approximately 8.40am. All three patients were then transported in separate helicopters to hospital.

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