Seven dead, one missing, three rescued in Kaipara fishing accident
by Radio NZ on 26 Nov 2016
The charter fishing boat Francie is missing on the Kaipara harbour - November 26, 2016 SW
Searchers have recovered seven bodies from the Kaipara Harbour, northwest of Auckland, after a fishing boat got into trouble on Saturday.
As of Sunday two of the three people listed as missing on Saturday have been found dead, and their bodies recovered. Three were rescued and were in hospital, police said.
Eleven people were onboard the vessel when it was reported overdue off South Head Saturday.
It is understood the boat could not cross the bar into the harbour.
An air search for the missing trio has stopped for the night, but would resume at 7am Sunday, weather permitting, police said.
Massive air search
Emergency services were called about 3.30pm.
Four aircraft - three helicopters and a plane - searched for people in the water. Lifeguards from the Muriwai Volunteer Surf Lifeguard Service helped.
Inspector Duncan Hall said a shoreline search around South Head and Te Oneone Rangatira Beach would continue for a few more hours Saturday night.
'Conditions are not suitable for an air search to continue tonight due to a significant sea swell. Visibility is poor, which would put rescue aircraft and their crews at risk,' he said.
'Inquiries are being made into what happened to the vessel and how people ended up in the water.'
'That's part of the investigation at this stage, and to determine who was actually on board.
'We've got some information from the people that were recovered from the water, that's part of our ongoing investigation.'
Police said the process of formally identifying the victims and advising next of kin was under way and enquiries to establish the circumstances are still ongoing.
Inspector Hall could not confirm who was on board, but said anyone with concerns about the welfare of relatives in relation to the incident should go to the Helensville Police Station or call 111.
Boaties were asked to avoid the area during search efforts.
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