A 7-year-old boy and his father suffered leg injuries when
their boat exploded at Waikawa Marina in Picton this morning.
A Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter spokesman said the
vessel had just finished refuelling when the explosion
happened.
A 42-year-old man and his son, from Wellington were both
thrown across the boat and suffered moderate injuries.
They were treated and flown to Wellington Hospital after the
incident, about 9am.
Port Marlborough deputy harbour master Alan Coughlan said the
boat was preparing to move away after refuelling when the
engine was turned on.
"There was a petrol fume that exploded."
The debris struck the victims' legs, he said.
The explosion was heard about 700m away by Stuart Scaife from
Boating Marlborough.
"I heard a dull thud and I wondered what it was," he said.
He assumed it was nearby oil drums making noises by expanding
or contracting.
A nearby resident, who did not want to be named, said the
explosion "sounded like a bit of a boomph".
Port Marlborough chief executive Ian McNabb said he
understood there were two other people on board the boat,
which belonged to a local.
- Rebecca Quilliam of APNZ
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.