[ad_1]
A second person jumped overboard in an attempt to save a woman who died after falling from a charter boat in Auckland’s Waitematā harbor.
A 25-year-old woman died of serious injuries aboard a Zefiro Charters ship during the incident Thursday afternoon.
A Coast Guard spokesman said the chartered vessel contacted its Mechanics Bay facility to say that two people from the ship had fallen into the water.
Do you know more? Email [email protected]
Both people were quickly returned to the charter, but the woman who died had suffered serious injuries in the incident.
A police spokesman confirmed Friday that the second person had jumped into the water in an attempt to save the woman.
It is unclear if the second person was part of the women’s group or a member of the crew.
Police said the second person was unharmed.
READ MORE:
* Woman killed after falling overboard from Auckland charter boat
A spokesperson for St John Ambulance confirmed this and said that no one else was treated at the scene or taken to a hospital.
More details will be released as investigations continue between the police and Maritime NZ.
The charter ship’s owners, Lawrence Knight and Ben Mostert, said their hearts went out to the family and friends of the deceased.
“We are shocked and devastated by the events that unfolded yesterday afternoon,” they said in a statement.
“We are currently working with the police and Maritime New Zealand who have our full cooperation and will conduct our own independent investigation to determine what happened.”
The company’s website stated that Zefiro “was no longer accepting charter flights.”
Police said it was too early to comment on the possibility or likelihood of charges being filed.
On Friday morning, a small group of police officers, Maritime NZ and security personnel could be seen at Auckland’s Viaduct Basin, where Zefiro was docked.
They appeared to be focused on the front of the boat and its upper deck, where they could be seen opening up the seating area and taking photos.
The owners of several neighboring boats have said that they see the boat moored there frequently, but did not know the owners.
Calls by Things Reporters at the phone number on Zefiro’s list received no response.
A sign on the 60-foot boat says it can be booked for occasions like barbecue cruises, fishing trips, corporate events, and meetings.
The full-day rate for the charter was $ 4,700, according to the New Zealand Charter Guide. It is fully licensed and guests can also bring their own alcohol.
The boat, which has a top speed of 30 knots, had left the viaduct in the afternoon with about 30 passengers, police said.
The spokesperson said another North Shore Coast Guard boat was called in to help, as well as police boats, and a Westpac rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene.
A distress call was also sent to other ships in the area to see if there were medics on board who could help.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman Lincoln Davies said a team addressed the incident at 5.30pm.
An intensive care paramedic and a doctor were loaded onto the police maritime boat and taken to the patient who died at the scene, he said.
Police said they were working with Maritime NZ to understand how the woman was seriously injured.
“Victim Support is being rolled out for the other passengers on the ship.”
Fullers 360, which operates ferry services at the port, said it went to help after receiving an emergency call from police, a spokesperson confirmed.
Staff prepared their “person overboard kit” in case they were asked to help, and accompanied the boat to Mechanics Bay, where they were detained by police.
“We offer our condolences to friends and loved ones.”