Young boy dies after kayak capsizes

An 8-year-old boy was on a fishing trip with his father and sister when the kayak they were on suddenly capsized.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Michele Gillespie, Counties Manukau South Police, yesterday confirmed all three had been wearing lifejackets but it wasn’t enough to save the boy who later died in Starship Hospital.

Emergency services were called to Kaiaua on the Firth of Thames about 3.30pm on Sunday after reports of the kayak capsizing.

Two Coastguard boats, a Cessna and two rescue helicopters were sent to the scene and all three were pulled from the water.

Crews were seen frantically performing CPR on the boy on the grass at the Kaiaua Boat Ramp before he and his sister were separately flown to hospital. Gillespie said the trio had travelled from the Waikato to go fishing.

Police were still investigating what caused the boat to initially tip over, but said initially the three were able to get back on it.

The father was able to call for help using his mobile phone before the boat started taking on more water.

“It had started to take on too much water and this has caused further capsizes and the kayak to eventually sink.”

The trio were in the water for some time before help arrived.

The investigation would be conducted in conjunction with Maritime NZ. Gillespie said the boy’s death had been referred to the coroner.

It had started to take on too much water and this has caused further capsizes and the kayak to eventually sink.

Senior Sergeant Michele Gillespie