Police have praised the swift and selfless actions of a member of the public who helped save a woman from the water at Pine Harbour Marina on Sunday afternoon — just a day after a fatal man-overboard incident near Auckland’s Outboard Boating Club.
Emergency services were called to Pine Harbour about 4.20pm after reports of a woman in distress. The Police Air Support Unit, patrol vessel Deodar, and Coastguard were dispatched, but before they arrived a bystander entered the water to help.
“This person hasn’t hesitated to help another person in their time of need,” said Relieving Counties Manukau East Area Commander, Inspector Nga-Wati Chaplow. “For seeing something and doing something about it, they potentially saved a life.”
Once on scene, police officers also entered the water to assist before the woman was taken to hospital for treatment. Inspector Chaplow said he was “extremely proud and humbled” by the actions of both the public rescuer and responding officers.
The incident occurred at Pine Harbour Marina, located at the end of Jack Lachlan Drive in Beachlands. Set in the heart of New Zealand’s best cruising waters, Pine Harbour offers direct access to the Hauraki Gulf’s popular fishing and sailing grounds, and is home to both berth holders and liveaboard residents.
It comes less than 24 hours after tragedy struck off Tāmaki Drive, near the Outboard Boating Club in Parnell. Emergency services were called at about 3.35pm on Saturday after reports of a man overboard. Police recovered him from the water and attempted resuscitation, but he died at the scene.
The man’s death has been referred to the Coroner, with circumstances still under investigation.
