A Northland boatie is dead after his dinghy was apparently run down by a yacht near Opua wharf.
It is thought the 68-year-old was rowing provisions out to his boat when he was hit by a 12.8m yacht heading into Opua under motor about 8.30am yesterday.
The accident was witnessed by people on the wharf and the crew of the tall ship R Tucker Thompson, who pulled the man from the water and performed CPR until two St John ambulances arrived. The paramedics were assisted by volunteers from the Paihia Fire Brigade who arrived shortly afterwards. Their attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
The man's body was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa for identification by family members. Until that was done, and next of kin had been notified, police would not give his name. He is believed to be a Northlander.
The harbourmaster was expected to try to find and recover the man's dinghy, which was thought to have sunk, in case it became a marine hazard.