News
November 21, 2017
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
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 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.
