Four people rescued off Taieri River mouth

12pm, 11 January 2012

Four people have been winched off a sinking boat approximately 10 nautical miles (18.5km) off the Taieri River mouth, south of Dunedin.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) received a distress call on maritime radio shortly before 10:30am, indicating the vessel, with four people on board, was sinking fast.

Two helicopters from Otago Helicopters with the Dunedin Water Rescue Squad were immediately tasked to assist. After a short search by both helicopters, the crew were located in the water and were winched to safety by 11.40am.

The four on board were taken to a waiting ambulance at the Taieri River mouth, where they have been assessed by paramedics.

At this stage, no further information about the people on board, or the boat, is available.

ENDS

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