Tragic Boat Capsize on Riverton Bar Leaves Two Dead and One Missing

Mike Sanford

Aug 03, 2024 - 1 min read

Emergency services responded to a boat capsize at Riverton Bar around 2:50pm today.
Two individuals died, one is missing, and two others were transported to Southland Hospital.
A large-scale search and rescue operation is ongoing with multiple agencies involved.

Two people have been confirmed deceased, and one person is missing.
St John received reports of the water incident at 14:56, dispatching one manager, two ambulances, one rapid response unit, two helicopters, and one first response unit alongside other emergency services, including NZ Police, Fire and Emergency, and Coastguard Riverton and Coastguard Bluff.
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“Our crews assessed and treated two patients, one in moderate condition and one in minor condition, both transported to Southland Hospital. There are no other patient details available.”

According to Inspector Mike Bowman, Southland Area Commander, two people died, and one remains missing after a recreational boat capsized approximately 100 metres offshore with five people on board. Emergency services were alerted to the incident at 2.55pm today.

“Two people were recovered alive from the water and brought to shore before being transported to Southland Hospital. A third person was unresponsive when brought to shore and tragically was unable to be revived by emergency services staff. A fourth person was located deceased in the water, and the search for the fifth person remains ongoing.”

Inspector Bowman added, “This is an absolute tragedy and our hearts go out to all those impacted by this devastating incident.”

Significant resources have been deployed, including Police, Coastguard Riverton, Coastguard Bluff, St John, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and SAR volunteers. Family and next of kin notifications are currently being undertaken, with further information regarding the deceased and missing to be released once notifications are confirmed.