Auckland woman fights for her life after boating accident

A 41-year-old Auckland woman was fighting for her life in Waikato Hospital tonight after she was thrown into the water 1.5km off the Waikato coastline when two boats capsized this morning.

Constable Dave Litton, of Raglan police, told NZPA a 5m-long boat with two people aboard was outside the Raglan Bar when it began having engine problems.

When it started taking on water and its occupants could not start the engine, they fired a flare which alerted a nearby boat.

The 6.5m boat, with six people on board, began towing the stricken vessel back inside the bar, but as the skipper of the boat was calling 111 to seek assistance, a wave broadsided his boat, capsizing both vessels.

The accident occurred about 10.40am.

All eight adults were thrown into the water.

Mr Litton said police, ambulance, coastguard, the local Westpac Rescue Helicopter and civilian vessels all assisted in the rescue, but one of the occupants -- a 41-year-old Auckland woman -- was in a critical condition by the time emergency services arrived.

Mr Litton said she was airlifted to Waikato Hospital, where she remained in intensive care. The injuries the woman sustained from the accident were life-threatening and it was not known whether she would survive the night, he said.

The other seven people were uninjured.

Police said both boats were properly equipped with enough lifejackets, but not all the occupants were wearing them.

- NZPA