Man killed as river boat runs into tree

After the accident, the people aboard the boat were ferried to the Waikato River's north bank. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The fraternity of duck shooters and whitebaiters of the lower Waikato River were yesterday mourning the death of one of their most popular members.

Ross Irwin, of Aka Aka Rd, Puni, was fatally injured when the boat he was sitting in hit a tree on the river near Waiuku on Saturday night.

Sergeant Dean Borrell, of Pukekohe police, said the 21-year-old and three friends left a bach on the river in a small power boat about 9.30pm.

After travelling about 200m the boat crashed on to the river bank and struck a large tree.

A branch smashed across the windscreen and all four people went overboard.

People in nearby huts ferried them to the river's north bank.

However, Mr Irwin had serious injuries and was dead when the boat reached shore.

The skipper of the boat and other passengers were treated at Middlemore Hospital for moderate injuries, said Mr Borrell.

Maritime New Zealand safety inspectors are investigating.

Police are unsure why the vessel left the water as the occupants were too upset to be interviewed.

But officers said vision might have been limited by patches of mist and suspect alcohol may have been a factor.

Friends of Mr Irwin gathered at his family's farmhouse yesterday.

One said Mr Irwin, who turned 21 only last month, was an avid duck shooter and whitebaiter.

He loved the river and as a child accompanied his grandfather Eddie on hunting expeditions in the stretch between Tuakau and Port Waikato.

When he was 12 he built his own bach on Potters Island, one of the numerous islands in the lower river.

A resident said the accident happened in an area which was challenging to even experienced boaties.

The small islands were separated by tidal channels, where swift currents were made treacherous by dead trees snagging as they were carried downstream.