Video shows rescue from New Zealand boat on which 5 died

Mar 21, 2022, 7:06 AM | Updated: Mar 22, 2022, 12:19 am
This photo released by Northland Emergency Services Trust, shows Northland Rescue Helicopter pilot ...

This photo released by Northland Emergency Services Trust, shows Northland Rescue Helicopter pilot Lance Donnelly in Whangarei, New Zealand, Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Donnelly piloted a helicopter that winched five people to safety after a boating accident in which at least four people died on Sunday in far north New Zealand. (Steve Macmillan/Northland Emergency Services Trust via AP)

(Steve Macmillan/Northland Emergency Services Trust via AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A man clinging in the dark to the wreckage of a fishing boat let go and leapt into the arms of a rescue swimmer in a dramatic video shot from a New Zealand emergency helicopter after a boating accident in which five people died.

Rescuers and police divers on Tuesday found the fifth body in the water after the chartered boat that was carrying 10 people broke apart in stormy seas Sunday night.

Five people were rescued from the sea at around midnight after clinging to different sections of the overturned wreckage for hours, and four bodies were later recovered during daylight hours on Monday.

The video was shot from the Northland Rescue Helicopter at about 12:30 a.m. Monday after the boat’s rescue beacon was activated more than four hours earlier off the remote North Cape.

Helicopter pilot Lance Donnelly told The Associated Press he wore night vision goggles as they flew to the scene with a team that included another pilot, a winch operator and a rescue swimmer.

He said it was the most dramatic rescue he’s undertaken in 30 years of flying as they navigated the darkness and squally seas. They weren’t able to land somebody on the wreckage but instead put a tethered swimmer into the sea nearby.

Donnelly said they first rescued three people who’d climbed aboard a large piece of floating wreckage and then came back for two more about a kilometer (0.6 miles) away who were clinging to the overturned hull.

On the video, one rescuer can be heard issuing instructions.

“Clearances are good. At your discretion, if you want to tack right to the target. At 40 feet, 35, 30,” he says as the rescue swimmer is winched down into the sea. A man clinging to wreckage leaps off and stretches his arm out, and is grabbed by the rescuer.

Donnelly said that in the darkness, they couldn’t find the bodies of those who had died.

“I think that was probably one of the hardest things for our crew, is that we’d effected a rescue of five people and we were wondering where the other five were,” he said.

Called the Enchanter, the 17-meter (56-foot) boat had left the northern port of Mangonui on Thursday with two crew and eight passengers aboard for a planned five-day fishing trip to the remote Three Kings Islands.

News outlet RNZ identified one of those who died as Mark Sanders, a 43-year-old builder and dad to three children. Sanders’ father Graeme said his son was a talented sportsman and keen fisherman who had been looking forward to the fishing trip for two years.

“He was worried about the forecast for the last day or so that he was fishing,” Graeme Sanders told RNZ. “He told me that before he went — ‘The forecast doesn’t look good, we might have to come back early.'”

The five people who were rescued were admitted to a local hospital and later discharged.

The captain of the Enchanter, who reportedly survived the accident, could not be reached Tuesday. The website for the charter boat says customers can catch swordfish, bass and kingfish: “Charter fishing for the serious angler,” it says.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

fishery...
Associated Press

Much of drought-plagued West Coast faces salmon fishing ban

The surreal and desperate scramble boosted the survival rate of the hatchery-raised fish, but still it was not enough to reverse the declining stocks in the face of added challenges.
2 days ago
UCLA's Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) shoots while defended by Gonzaga's Rasir Bolton (45) in the first half...
Associated Press

Gonzaga beats UCLA 79-76 in Sweet 16 on Strawther’s shot

Julian Strawther hit a 3-pointer with 6 seconds left to answer a 3-pointer by UCLA's Amari Bailey, lifting Gonzaga to a wild 79-76 NCAA Tournament win over UCLA Thursday night in the Sweet 16.
2 days ago
transportation...
Associated Press

Officials: Safety device, human error derailed Wash. train

A safety device failed, knocking a train off the tracks last week, spilling diesel after leaving an oil refinery in Anacortes.
2 days ago
File - Credit cards as seen July 1, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. A low credit score can hurt your ability...
Associated Press

What the Fed rate increase means for your credit card bill

The Federal Reserve raised its key rate by another quarter point Wednesday, bringing it to the highest level in 15 years as part of an ongoing effort to ease inflation by making borrowing more expensive.
3 days ago
police lights distracted drivers shooting...
Associated Press

Authorities: Missing mom, daughter in Washington found dead

A missing Washington state woman and her daughter were found dead Wednesday, according to police.
3 days ago
Google...
Associated Press

Google’s artificially intelligent ‘Bard’ set for next stage

Google announced Tuesday it's allowing more people to interact with “ Bard,” the artificially intelligent chatbot the company is building to counter Microsoft's early lead in a pivotal battleground of technology.
4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Emergency Preparedness...

Prepare for the next disaster at the Emergency Preparedness Conference

Being prepared before the next emergency arrives is key to preserving businesses and organizations of many kinds.
SHIBA volunteer...

Volunteer to help people understand their Medicare options!

If you’re retired or getting ready to retire and looking for new ways to stay active, becoming a SHIBA volunteer could be for you!
safety from crime...

As crime increases, our safety measures must too

It's easy to be accused of fearmongering regarding crime, but Seattle residents might have good reason to be concerned for their safety.
Comcast Ready for Business Fund...
Ilona Lohrey | President and CEO, GSBA

GSBA is closing the disparity gap with Ready for Business Fund

GSBA, Comcast, and other partners are working to address disparities in access to financial resources with the Ready for Business fund.
SHIBA WA...

Medicare open enrollment is here and SHIBA can help!

The SHIBA program – part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner – is ready to help with your Medicare open enrollment decisions.
Lake Washington Windows...

Choosing Best Windows for Your Home

Lake Washington Windows and Doors is a local window dealer offering the exclusive Leak Armor installation.
Video shows rescue from New Zealand boat on which 5 died