Pair found alive after fishing boat upturned in Waihi 'extremely lucky' to survive, search continues for missing man

November 21, 2017

A Bay of Plenty man is still missing after the accident last night.

The 28-year-old man and 10-year-old boy who survived a fishing boat overturning last night in Waihi off the Coromandel coast are "extremely lucky" says Auckland Rescue Helicopter staff, who are still searching for a 24-year-old man. 

It is reported the boy was the only person wearing a life jacket. 

Aaron Knight, crew and co-pilot of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter said the pair survived fading light and an outgoing tide.

"People don't usually make it to shore like that particularly in rough seas."

He said conditions were "extrememly dark" when they arrived at the scene. 

Two people miraculously survived being thrown into the water, but a 24-year-old hasn't been seen since.

Auckland Rescue Helicopter pilot James Tayler said the sea temperature would have been cold and the area their boat upturned had "pretty rough seas". 

"For two people to have survived that is very lucky."

The missing 24-year-old fisherman has still not been found, after more resources including a Navy inshore vessel were called in to join the search. 

The dinghy has not been recovered and is still in the water. 

Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter were called in to help with the search and the Police Eagle helicopter worked most of the night.  

The Rotorua man was part of a group whose 14 foot aluminum overturned yesterday in Bowentown Harbour.

The Coastguard's policy is clear, if not obvious, to wear a lifejacket at all times but the law doesn't always insist on this.

The 28-year-old man and a 10-year-old boy found alive by another fisherman.

Today police confirmed the two people rescued were the nephew and brother-in-law of the missing man.

The pair were treated for hypothermia.

Police were alerted at 11.20pm last night.

The Coastguard found the aluminum boat. 

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