Opotiki - Water emmergency

At about 5am Sunday 27th July 2008 police were notified of a 4 MHz beacon activation at sea.

On daybreak police discovered that a commercial fishing boat had been thrown onto rocks near the Opape settlement, east of Opotiki.

Two persons were rescued suffering from hypothermia. Another was found deceased in the water.
A further person is missing presumed drowned.

Air and land searches have been taking place throughout the day but sea conditions are described as treacherous.

A further release will be made at 12pm Monday 28th July 2008