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Tragedy as five people die after a boat carrying 11 bird watchers capsized when it was ‘hit by a whale’ in New Zealand
- Five people died after boat was reportedly flipped by whale in calm NZ waters
- The boat had 11 people on board and was at Goose Bay, near Kaikoura at the time
- The six others on board have been rescued and released from hospital
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Five people have died after a whale reportedly flipped their boat in icy waters while on a seabird-watching tour in New Zealand.
The tragic accident happened at Goose Bay, near Kaikoura, on the east coast of the country’s south island on Saturday morning.
A group of 11 women aged over 50 were reportedly on a bird-watching trip, when the 8.5metre charter boat was overturned at about 10am local time.
The other six passengers on board including the skipper were rescued and have been released from hospital after being assessed. One sustiained minor injuries.
Authorities are yet to confirm what caused the boat to capsize but said there was a collision. Humpback and sperm whales are known to frequent the area.
Five people have died while on a seabird-watching tour after a whale reportedly flipped their boat in icy waters near Kaikoura, in New Zealand
Harrowing photos show one passenger sitting on top of the upturned boat while waiting to be rescued
The other six passengers on board including the skipper were rescued and have been released from hospital after being assessed
A NZ police dive team arrived at the scene at about 2pm on Saturday as the bodies were retrieved from the 10C water and brought to shore.
The boat has also been towed in.
Harrowing photos show one passenger sitting on top of the upturned boat while waiting to be rescued.
Half the passengers managed to clamber onto the upturned hull of the vessel where they waited for help
‘This is an unprecedented event that has occurred,’ Kaikōura Police Sergeant Matt Boyce said.
NZ Coastguard, Maritime New Zealand and Fire and Emergency NZ, tour operators including Dolphin Encounter Kaikōura, and a handful of local fishermen were involved in trying to save the victims.
Two Westpac Rescue helicopters were also called to the scene.
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle broke down during a press briefing, describing the tragedy as ‘a terrible circumstance’, adding the conditions were ‘really, really’ good.
‘This has been a tragic event that affects many lives, most of all family and loved ones,’ Mr Mackle said.
‘Out heartfelt sorrow and condolences to you all.’
Coastguard New Zealand released a statement saying volunteers worked all day to ‘help bring all involved home’.
‘Coastguard would like to express our sincerest condolences to the whānau of the five people who lost their lives when the boat they were on capsized off Goose Bay in Kaikōura today.’
It’s understood the conditions on the water were fine with very little swell at the time of the accident
He said being able to ‘bring everyone home’ was the best that could be hoped for.
‘It’s a small town and we did what we could’.
Kaikoura District Councillor Lisa Bond called the tragedy ‘incredibly heartbreaking’.
The waters off Kaikoura are known for whale movement but nobody had heard of a boat ever being hit.
It’s understood the conditions on the water were fine with very little swell and nothing to suggest danger besides the well-known presence of hump back and sperm whales off the coast.
An investigation into the incident will be launched.
It’s understood the boat belonged to a local fishing charter business.