Third Person Found Dead After Riverton Boat Accident
- A third person was found dead after a boat capsized in Riverton.
- Emergency services and SAR teams responded quickly to the capsized boat incident.
- Two people survived; two were initially found dead; the last body was found at night.
A third person has been found dead after a boat capsized on the Riverton bar yesterday afternoon. Emergency services and Search and Rescue personnel responded quickly to the alert at 2.55pm. Two people were rescued alive, one remains hospitalised, and two were found dead later that afternoon.
Related:
Tragic Boat Capsize on Riverton Bar Leaves Two Dead and One Missing
Riverton Bar Tragedy: Names of Deceased Released
Significant resources, including Police, Coastguard Riverton, Coastguard Bluff, Hato Hone St John, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and SAR volunteers, were deployed for the search. During the last sweep before the rescue helicopter’s return, the fifth and final person was found deceased in the water.
“This was a heart-wrenching incident, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the whānau of those involved, who are being supported,” said Inspector Mike Bowman, Southland Area Commander. “I would like to commend all staff involved in this incident; they responded swiftly and brought all five people home. While this was not the result we were hoping for, we are pleased to have been able to recover two of the occupants alive and play our part in returning the deceased to their loved ones.”
Further information regarding the deceased will be released when available.