A Southland man suffered a medical event while driving a jet boat, losing consciousness before being helped ashore where he would eventually die.
Jet boating NZ immediate past president Paul Mullan said Peter McKenzie was driving the vessel about 1km west of the Wairaurahiti River Mouth when he appeared to suffer a medical event, making the boat lose power as his foot came off the accelerator.
The boat eventually came to a standstill and was overcome by a couple of rogue waves, with the three people onboard trying to stay on as long as possible.
"[The boat] has dropped out from under them."
McKenzie then regained consciousness and he and another man were helped to shore by the third, younger, passenger.