Three people from Mahia are recovering in Wairoa Hospital after the boat they were in capsized at sea this morning.
A 57-year-old Mahia man died in the accident. His name will not be released until family have been notified. The three other people in the 12ft aluminium boat were a family group, also from Mahia – a man aged 48, his 40-year-old wife and their 16-year-old son.
Senior Sergeant Maui Aben of Gisborne Police said two of the three had to be airlifted by rescue helicopter from the beach due to their injuries and the remoteness of the location.
The four boat occupants made their way to shore at the edge of a cliff at the end of Kinikini Rd in the township. A local resident alerted emergency services when he saw them on the beach. It is believed the 57-year-old man died on the beach after making it to shore.
END