74 year old whitebaiter rescued from sea

At 5.26pm on Sunday 8 November 2009 police at the Southern Communication Centre received a 111 call advising that a male had been swept out to sea at the mouth of the Rakaia River.

A rescue was initiated involving police staff from Rakaia and Lincoln. A rescue helicopter was sent from Christchurch.

At about 6.20pm a 74 year old male was located about 1 kilometre out to sea by the helicopter crew. The male was winched into the helicopter and transported to Christchurch hospital suffering hypothermia.

It was established that the male had been whitebaiting. The fact that the male survived is put down to the fact that he was wearing a life jacket.

Sgt Dean Lawrence