Family trip ends in near-tragedy

By ANGELA GREGORY and REBECCA WALSH

A man was blown off his feet and two teenage girls jumped for their lives when an explosion rocked a launch in the Hauraki Gulf yesterday.

What began as a family fishing trip ended in a dramatic sea rescue for the eight people on board the 10.3m Onetangi Rova.

Last night, Howick couple Roger Whitfield and Gael Bierens were recovering from burns in Middlemore Hospital after a fireball raced past them on the boat near Crusoe Rock, south of Motuihe Island.

Emergency services were alerted at 10.47 am by the skipper of the Auckland-based launch, Ron Evans, who said the engine had exploded and several people were burned.

Mr Evans told the Herald last night that he was inspecting the diesel engine after it made a "funny noise" and would not stop running.

He lifted the engine cover to try to turn the motor off manually.

"I was on my hands and knees when a gold, almost orange, fireball erupted."

The 72-year-old said there was a huge bang and smoke everywhere.

"The two girls jumped off the boat in fright."

Mr Evans said Ms Bierens, his daughter, had fallen in the sea while trying to rescue the girls.

"As she was burned, the water was probably the best thing for her."

Mr Evans said he had more than 60 years' boating experience and was a safety inspector with New Zealand Yachting, but he had no idea what caused the explosion.

"I can't explain it.

"The gas was turned off, and there's never been a problem with the motor before."

Mr Evans said he would inspect the launch again today at its berth at the Pine Harbour Marina, near Beachlands, where it had been towed by a coastguard vessel.

Auckland Coastguard duty officer Ross Winterburn said that when the coastguard was first alerted, it had sent out a general mayday call for boaties in the area to help.

He said Mr Evans had reported an engine explosion and radioed that he had been badly burned.

But worse off was Mr Whitfield. Twenty per cent of his body was burned during the explosion.

A WestpacTrust helicopter airlifted Mr Whitfield to the Mechanics Bay coastguard rescue centre. From there he was transferred by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital.

Mr Whitfield told TV3 last night that he was grateful to the rescuers and their "superb" management of the situation.

"People kept the water going on top of me to help lessen the burns. I give thanks to all those involved.

"It was certainly a nasty experience and tragedy which one wouldn't want to go through again."

Mr Whitfield added wryly: "It saves me probably getting a haircut next week."

Chris Delfos, one of four firefighters who boarded the launch, said it appeared that the explosion was the result of a gas fire in the bilge.

"There was little fire damage," he said. "It appears it was one quick flash and it was all over."

The other family members rescued by coastguard vessels suffered minor injuries and were treated on the shore.

Two were taken to Auckland Hospital for observation.