3 Sep 2016

Man dies in West Coast boating accident

5:33 pm on 3 September 2016

A man has died in a boating accident off the West Coast of the South Island this afternoon.

The beach at Hokitika on the West Coast.

The beach at Hokitika on the West Coast. Photo: 123rf.com

Two men were in the boat when capsized in a swell at the mouth of the Hokitika River, off Gibson Quay, just after 1pm.

Both men were wearing life-jackets when the boat tipped.

The other man manged to make it to the shore, where paramedics treated him for shock.

The incident has been referred to the coroner.