Several injured when Outward Bound boat run down

A boat full of students on the Outward Bound course was hit by a commercial vessel in the Marlborough Sounds at approximately 2:10 pm today.

Eleven students aboard the Outward Bound cutter were paddling near Wedge Point in Queen Charlotte Sound. They saw the Dolphin Watch Eco Boat approaching and tried unsuccessfully to alert its skipper that they were on a collision course.

The 7m Outward Bound cutter was run down and several of those aboard have been injured. Two are currently being airlifted to Wellington with serious injuries. Those injuries are not described as life-threatening at this stage.

Another six will be treated in Marlborough. They are believed to have suffered cuts and bruising.

The Outward Bound students were rescued from the water and ferried to Picton by a boat from nearby Lochmara Lodge and by the dolphin watch boat.

At this stage there are no reports of injuries from the 13m long dolphin watch boat.