Sea rescue after six tipped out of waka
Six people were rescued after a wave tipped them out of a waka ama in New Plymouth waters yesterday morning.
The group was one of three teams from Taranaki Outrigger Canoe Club out on the water off Kawaroa Close just before 9am for a training run.
Nathan Tuuta, president of the club, said the waka which tipped was hit by a freak wave on an angle which caused it to flip and break.
‘‘They were initially a bit shaky but no injuries thankfully.
‘‘We may not have a waka but at least we have six safe people.’’
Tuuta said everyone had life jackets and good experience of what to do in these situations, with the other two teams on the water calling in for help.
Coastguard Taranaki brought them out and back to shore and St John Ambulance also attended and treated two of the patients for minor injuries.
No patients were transported to hospital.
Those rescued could been seen hugging loved ones as they safely got off the Coastguard boat.
‘‘We’re really happy with how our club came together and rallied and East End IRB, Coastguard, police and ambulance were amazing too,’’ Tuuta said.
‘‘We’re all happy they are safe and the efforts from everybody helped achieve that.’’
Eyewitnesses Keith and Lyn Betteridge saw the drama unfold from Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park, which overlooks the ocean.
‘‘There were big batches of waves and they were rowing right into it, they didn’t have time to respond,’’ Keith said.
‘‘Then we just didn’t see them again,’’ Lyn added.