Update Boating Accident - Waikawa Marina

At about 4pm yesterday emergency services received a 111 call advising that a vessel had collided with other vessel in the Waikawa Bay, Picton area.

The first Police Officer attending the incident along with a Port Marlborough employee were transported out to the vessels by members of the Public who were in Waikawa Bay at the time.

Several minutes later a second Police Officer and an Ambulance Officer were also transported out to the vessels in another vessel with the help from members of the Public.

It was established immediately the vessel that was struck was an ex naval vessel that was unoccupied and anchored in the Bay. The other vessel a 7-8 metre aluminium commercial vessel had six people on board.
Ambulance and Police Officers assisted those on board the vessel. Unfortunately one died upon impact, the other male died while emergency services were treating him.

Two males were transported by helicopter to the Wellington hospital. One was operated on last night to stabilise his condition. Both are currently in the Intensive Care Unit.

A female and another male were transported to Blenheim hospital. The female received facial and hand injuries and is still in Blenheim hospital. The male was discharged last night.

Both the deceased males are 38 years old and live in the Blenheim area. Their names are not yet being released as all the Next of Kin have not yet been notified.

Victim Support workers are helping the families to come to terms with this horrific incident.
Police and Investigators from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission lead by Iain HILL are currently examining the Aluminium vessel.

The investigation is still in the early stages. Police at this point are keeping an opened mind as to the cause of this crash.

Our thoughts at this time are with the families involved in this tragic incident.
Police are prepared to talk to the media at 3pm at the Waikawa Marina launching ramp, as an examination of the ex naval vessel involved will be conducted. This is off Beach Road