A person has died while racing a yacht in the Bay of Islands after they were struck by the boom.
The boom - a horizontal spar at the bottom of the mast - swung round and struck the person at 11.29pm yesterday, knocking them unconcious.
The Kokako Rescue boat from the Coastguard Bay of Islands service was nearby and rushed to help the crew, who had been taking part in the Coastal Classic race from Auckland to Russell.
“Upon reaching the yacht at shortly after 0100 hours, one of our crew boarded with a medical kit, including a defibrillator,” Ayden Armitage, a member of the Kokako’s volunteer Coastguard crew, said.
“Sadly, the individual passed away.”