\u201cTragically, the second person was located unresponsive in the water a short time later and was unable to be revived,\u201d police said.<\/p>\n
The death will be referred to the coroner.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Coastguard Hawke\u2019s Bay said volunteers responded to a police request for assistance after reports of a capsized vessel near Pania Reef.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo people were reported missing. Both were wearing lifejackets \u2013 an important safety measure.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne person was recovered by Coastguard volunteers and transported back to shore to meet ambulance services. A second person was found unresponsive by a commercial vessel assisting with the search.<\/p>\n
\u201cA rescue helicopter already on scene winched down a paramedic to the vessel to assess the person,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter transporting the first patient to shore, Coastguard Hawke\u2019s Bay returned to the scene with police to transfer the second person to the Coastguard vessel Celia Knowles, which then transported them back to shore.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Coastguard figures, the death marks the second craft-related fatality in four days. <\/p>\n
\u201cBringing the total to 17 craft-related fatalities so far this year, which now matches the annual average of lives lost in incidents involving recreational craft in New Zealand,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n