Police: Drunk boaties could have died

Lake Wakatipu. Photo / Jim Eagles

Four young Cantabrians whose dinghy sank in Queenstown's freezing Lake Wakatipu on Saturday night could have died, police say.

The men, aged between 18 and 19, had been drinking at a Kelvin Heights property, when they decided to go by dinghy to Queenstown, Sergeant Keith Newell said.

Nearby residents rescued the intoxicated men by kayak about 11pm, 20 minutes after they heard screams for help.

"Another 10 minutes and we could have had four fatalities out here," Mr Newell said.

One of the survivors Harry Young said they had used the dinghy to avoid potential problems with drink-driving, but the plan "just went terribly wrong".

"It's the closest I've ever come to death," he told 3 News.

"I hope I don't come any closer."

Residents Pia Cairns, Giles Cooper and Sam Jasper told the Otago Daily Times they were watching television about 10.30pm when they heard "screams".

They rushed down the shore at Park Street with an emergency blanket and immediately called police.

Neighbours, who had also heard the cries for help, pulled out a kayak and rescued the "hammered" men, Mr Cooper said.

When police arrived, the men were about 70m offshore and had been in the freezing water for about 20 minutes.

Three of four men were taken to Lakes District Hospital and treated for hypothermia. They were vomiting in the ambulance because of intoxication and shock, Mr Newell said.

- NZPA