Coastguard rescues man treading water after falling off boat in Hauraki Gulf

A man was pulled from the water after falling overboard in the Tiritiri Channel yesterday afternoon. Photo / via google maps

A man was plucked to safety after spending more than half an hour treading water when he fell overboard in the Hauraki Gulf yesterday.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter said a man had suffered a possible medical event and had fallen into the Tiritiri Channel around 3.45pm.

Coastguard Northern Region spokeswoman Georgie Smith said they received a distress call from the man's wife after the 79-year-old struggled to get back into the craft.

The man was pulled from the water by a Coastguard vessel who came to his aid.

Smith said he was very cold when was lifted out of the water after spending more than 30 minutes in the sea.

He was taken to Tiritiri Matangi Island for assessment before the rescue helicopter flew him to North Shore Hospital in a minor condition.

In the meantime the man's wife, who was waiting on the vessel, was helped back to Gulf Harbour marina by a Coastguard volunteer.

Smith said the elderly man was discharged from hospital last night.