Two fishermen rescued after boat capsizes on Kapiti Coast

At approx 12:55 this afternoon a Life Flight team responded to a report of two people in the water after their boat capsized about 100 metres off shore on the Kapiti Coast.

The Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived overhead the scene, at the Paekakariki end of Centennial Hwy, at 1:10pm and quickly spotted three people in the water near a submerged boat.  The third person was a surf life saver who swam to the men to assist them.

Our rescue swimmer/Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic was lowered into the sea and quickly harnessed one of the fisherman who was flown to a nearby parking area where police were waiting.  The helicopter then returned to winch the second fisherman from the sea.  By this time a Surf Life Saving IRB arrived on scene and picked up the man who had swam out to assist.

After a quick assessment the two fisherman, Hutt Valley brothers,  one in his 30’s and one in is 40’s, were flown to Wellington Hospital for a quick check – they are expected to be released this afternoon.

“I have no doubt that life jackets played a big part in these guys surviving” says Life Flight crewman Dave Greenberg.  “Both men were floating on the surface quite comfortably waiting for rescue.  I’ve been to many rescues like this where the people drowned because they were not in life jackets”.

The Life Flight Trust is a charity providing air rescue and air ambulance services. It operates the Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a national air ambulance service. It relies on support from the public and sponsorship from partners such as Westpac to provide these services. Further information can be obtained from www.lifeflight.org.nz

Photo attached, please credit ‘The Life Flight Trust’.  This shows the submerged boat and a Surf Life Saving IRB which arrived to assist.

ENDS

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