Six-year-old believed among dead in boat capsize

One of two people who died when a boat capsized off the coast of South Taranaki is believed to have been a six-year-old child.

Three people were on board the boat when it got into trouble off Pātea on Sunday morning.

Two people died and their bodies were recovered about 11.30am.

A third person was taken to hospital.

South Taranaki Mayor Phil Nixon said the Pātea bar was known to locals as a danger spot but conditions were good on Sunday

He told Morning Report the accident had hit the community hard.

"They are quite stunned to think that this tragedy could happen on [what was] pretty much on a nice day with a nice sea, and it goes to show that any of these things can happen at any time.

"Being a tidal bar you always have to be careful on the Pātea bar but it was good conditions and a number of boats had already gone out, it was a reasonable day for heading off Pātea."

Nixon said locals were aware of the dangers of the Pātea bar but the tragedy showed that accidents could happen at any time.

"It's been known for a long time that it can be dangerous and to treat it with respect. It can open up a lot of good fishing, a lot of recreation out at sea. but absolutely people around here know it must be treated with respect."

The response to the accident was immediate, he added, with local boaties and fishers nearby taking part in the rescue "as soon as the call went out, as quick as they could, followed by Search and Rescue and other services".

"I take my hat off to those who rallied round to support immediately. [The deaths] certainly weren't because of a lack of resources or a lack of help."

The coastguard said on Sunday the vessel had logged a bar crossing trip report with Coastguard South Taranaki, notifying the radio operators that they were crossing the Pātea Bar, which placed the vessel on a bar watch.

"Coastguard South Taranaki radio operators were watching the bar cameras and raised the alarm, after witnessing the vessel capsize."

Volunteers from Coastguard South Taranaki supported police from land and Coastguard Wanganui launched its rescue vessel but was stood down by police shortly after.

"The two people who sadly lost their lives - as well as a third person, who was taken to hospital - were brought to shore by nearby boaties, who responded quickly to the call for help. Some of those on board happened to be off-duty coastguard volunteers, who were out fishing in a private capacity," the coastguard said."