Bluff businessman dies after jet boat accident

Peter McKenzie (left) and brother Morrell McKenzie were well known in the jet boating community....
Peter McKenzie (left) and brother Morrell McKenzie were well known in the jet boating community. Photo: Facebook
The man who died while waiting for rescue, after being tossed from a jet boat into Foveaux Strait's icy water then swimming to shore at the weekend, was a well-known Bluff businessman.

Police late on Monday afternoon named him as Peter John McKenzie.

The 57-year-old was one of three men in the boat which was swamped near the Wairaurahiri River mouth on Saturday afternoon.

The trio swam about 1km to shore and one of the party went to raise the alarm.

However, Mr McKenzie had died by the time emergency services arrived, police said.

Mr McKenzie's family and friends did not want to comment when contacted today.

However, several Bluff residents, who requested anonymity, also confirmed it was Mr McKenzie. They said he was a good man and it was a sad day for the community.

Police said they were continuing to make inquiries into the death on behalf of the Coroner.

Sergeant Tod Hollebon, of Te Anau, said at the weekend the three men had left the Waitutu River and were heading about 12km around the rugged coastline to the Wairaurahiri River when their boat was swamped.

They were thrown into water about 1km west of the Wairaurahiri River mouth on the south coast of the South Island between 3pm and 4pm.

The youngest member battled rugged terrain to find help, while the two remaining men were whipped by strong winds of up to 20 knots and pelted with rain as they waited on the remote and rugged Fiordland coastline up to four hours for help.

Peter McKenzie was the owner of Bluff company McKenzie Marine and Mackraft which he started with his brother Morrell in 1986.

The company manufactures and sells a variety of jet boats internationally.

Morrell McKenzie died in 2015 after his truck went over the edge of a wharf at South Port.

luisa.girao@odt.co.nz

 

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