Three plucked from water, one still missing

Three Papakura people were rescued at about 8am after about 20 hours in the water of the Firth of Thames between Coromandel and Waiheke Island.

One person, a 13 year-old boy, is still missing and Police helicopter Eagle, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Coastguard and the Police launch Deodar, are still searching for him.

The four were reported missing shortly before midnight last night and searches got underway immediately. Eagle was stood down at about 2am and resumed the search early this morning.

A member of the public in a yacht came across the upturned hull of the runabout at about 8am and recovered one of the survivors. He left his tender with another survivor who was then winched aboard the Westpac Rescue helicopter.

The third person was located by Eagle and a Police crew member jumped into the sea with a floatation device to rescue him. Both were then recovered by Deodar.

Still missing is a 13 year-old boy who has not been seen since he drifted off from his family sometime after 2am.

The four males, who are all related, set off from Kawakawa Bay at about 11am yesterday and have advised that their 12 foot runabout capsized within an hour of launching it.

Two of those rescued are in Auckland Hospital while the third, a 21 year-old, is on board the Police launch assisting with the search. Deodar is expected back at the Marine Rescue Centre at about 1pm today.

None of the survivors was wearing a life jacket when recovered.