Man dead after catamaran accident off Whangarei

One man is dead after a catamaran wrecked near Taranga Island off the coast of Whangarei, this morning.

The Rescue Coordination Centre said it had received a beacon signal at 7.13am.

The beacon was activated by the dead man's son after the boat was wrecked.

The centre sent a rescue helicopter which found the wrecked boat and later the dead man and his son .

Police said it appeared the man drowned after knocking his head on the rocks.

Both the dead man and his son were taken to Whangarei by the rescue helicopter.

- NZPA