Auckland water rescue: Search continues for missing child after boat capsizes off Clarks Beach – New Zealand Herald

There are fears for a 10-year-old child missing after a boat flipped in the Manukau Harbour on Sunday night, killing one person.

Coastguard, police, and locals are searching the area around Clarks Beach for the child after the particular boating tragedy.

The missing 10-year-old is a student at Sandspit Road School and principal Sharyn de Jonge said the community was “devastated” and that “their hearts go out to the family”.

“We’re doing all we can to support everyone that is affected, ” she said.

“We contacted families today to collect children from school in order that they hear the sad news in the particular safety of their homes and with the love of their family. ”

She stated the school is working with the Ministry of Education to ensure they will have a plan for the long-term support of students.

A resident walking along the beach said he’s been looking for the missing child since early morning.

“The police officer told me the whole family was out there, the mother drowned and the 10-year-old didn’t have a life jacket on. ”

“They were fishing out at sea. ”

Two men who were onboard the boat when it capsized near Clarks Beach were “hypothermic and under distress” right after swimming to shore.

A local man at the scene mentioned the two survivors who were on a boat were spotted running out of the water and along the shore raising the particular alarm.

Another resident said she cared for two people who had been “hypothermic and looked under distress” after being in the water for hours last night.

“They had swum from the upturned boat to the particular shore, ” she said.

A police spokesperson said one person remained outstanding after a boat with five people onboard capsized around 7pm.

Jill Gillanders was in her motorhome by the boat ramp when she noticed emergency services gathering.

“Helicopters were hovering above and Coastguard brought someone on the particular stretcher towards the ambulance, ” she said.

Police are reminding people about how to be safe on the water.

“As the warmer months approach, police continue to urge all of those taking to the water to ensure they are carrying all appropriate safety equipment with them.

“This includes wearing life jackets. ”

Police would continue in order to provide further updates upon this incident as they become available.

Yesterday, one person was dead and two other people made it to shore while a third was plucked from the water by rescuers aboard the Eagle helicopter. All three patients had been transported to Middlemore Hospital.

Two rescue helicopters, the Eagle heli-copter, as well as the airport hovercraft almost all assisted with search efforts.

The Coastguard confirmed it had two boats in the water, manned with volunteers assisting police with search attempts.

The owner of a local bed and breakfast said he saw Auckland Airport’s hovercraft helping with search initiatives. The Coastguard was turning down locals’ offers to assist in the search, the particular man said.

Another eyewitness described seeing two women “running up the beach that had just been in the water”.

Three jet skis were also assisting with search efforts.

The boat has been recovered by Coastguard.

Police and emergency services are still at Clarks Beach.