May 30 2017
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Four rescued in surf drama u by Paul Campbell
Off-duty lifeguards rescued four people after an eight-metre boat flipped in heavy seas crossing the Mangawhai harbour entrance bar last Sunday afternoon, with no-one on board wearing a life jacket.
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p The overturned boat was later towed ashore by Mangawhai Heads rescuers
A heavy swell and big tides also led to “a number of close calls” over the weekend. “The boat was returning from a day out on the water at approximately 1.15pm and came unstuck with all four passengers being thrown into the strong current and surf,” said Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service public relations officer, Tony Baker. “Due to the king tides, the current had made the entrance and surf conditions tricky with waves breaking hard onto the shallow sand bar. “Fortunately there were a number of surfers in the water, including local Colin Young, who managed to retrieve a number of the people. Off-duty lifeguard
photo courtesy of Tony Baker/Damian Molloy
Isaac Johnston also responded from the surf club with a rescue board, and with local surfer Craig Freeman retrieved the skipper of the boat. Mr Baker said all four people rescued were very stressed, and after first aid there were concerns the skipper had taken on a lot of water and was struggling to breathe. “Lifeguard Jess Costello was called to assist and make a full assessment of the patient before a St John Ambulance arrived.” The NEST helicopter had also been alerted and as a precaution flew the patient to Whangarei Hospital where he was later discharged. “Later club members Murray Dix and Mark Vercoe
attempted to retrieve the overturned boat in the MHVLS Sea Rider,” Mr Baker said. “First attempts were futile due to the strong current and low tide. However, they managed to salvage the boat and tow it back into the harbour later in the evening. “Key areas for concern were the fact that none of the passengers onboard were wearing lifejackets, and although they had a lot of local experience, the dangers and challenges of crossing the Mangawhai Bar were too much for them on this day. “There were a number of other very close calls over the weekend due to the size of the swell and big tides.”
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