One dead, one hurt in Doubtful Sound boating accident

Doubtful Sound. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

A 33-year-old man has died and another man is seriously injured after a boating incident in Fiordland this morning.

A six-metre vessel was found around 8.45am floating near Blanket Bay by a Department of Conservation boat working in Doubtful Sound.

Te Anau police Sergeant Tod Hollebon said the boat had suffered damage from some form of collision, and two men were on board when the DOC workers arrived - one already deceased and another seriously injured.

Mr Hollebon said the injured man was airlifted from Blanket Bay to Kew Hospital in Invercargill.

A second helicopter took police to the scene and the body of the dead man has been recovered.

Mr Hollebon said Maritime New Zealand and the southern coroner have been advised.

"The full circumstances of the incident are under investigation. It is not yet clear exactly what has led to the vessel floating in the manner it was found. There is substantial damage to the alloy vessel."

The name of the deceased will not be released until next of kin have been advised.

- NZ Herald staff