A man is alive today after spending more than two hours in the cold waters of Waitematā Harbour on Anzac Day morning. His life jacket kept him afloat.
Police got the call at 3.40am Saturday. Two men had fallen from their kayaks paddling out to a moored boat. One made it to the vessel and eventually raised the alarm. The other had been swept away by the outgoing tide, and by the time anyone called for help, both men had already been in the water for two hours.
The Police Eagle helicopter crew headed straight out, working through the boat clubs and moored vessels before pushing further into the harbour. They found two empty kayaks and one man, being carried out to sea about a kilometre from shore.
“It wasn’t clear if the man was even alive, he wasn’t moving and his body heat was minimal,” said Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen QSM of the Marine Rescue Centre.
“But thankfully, there were small signs of life when they put the spotlight on him and called out over the PA.”
Eagle kept eyes on him while the Auckland Maritime Unit moved in. Sergeant Craig Kennedy helped pull him from the water at 4.40am.
“He’s a very lucky guy, it was a cold night, about 6 degrees, and he was in the water for a very long time. His life jacket is what kept him afloat and he’s here today because of that. When we got to him he could barely move or talk. He was seriously hypothermic and maybe a kilometre from where he fell in.”
Advanced paramedics were waiting at Te Atatu Boat Club. His mate, cold but out of the water, was brought in separately. Both went to hospital.
“Everybody kicked into action to save this guy’s life,” Larsen said. “Everyone involved should be proud.”
