Teacher 'hero' after waka rescue

A Taranaki teacher has been labelled a hero by his school after he attempted to rescue students from raging seas as their waka sank off Port Taranaki yesterday.

George Poole, 32, a chemistry teacher from New Plymouth Boys' High School was taken with four boys aged between 14 and 16 and a second staff member to Taranaki Base Hospital after the ordeal, which saw them spend 1-1/2 hours in freezing sea conditions.

They were treated for cuts and hypothermia before being discharged.

Mr Poole said the waka ama (outrigger canoe) team had no intention of leaving the safety of the harbour for their 2pm training session but were caught by rising seas, which swamped the boat and forced them past the main breakwater.

It was not until 3.30pm that emergency services were called after two 14-year-old boys, one reported to be "hysterical", climbed over the main breakwater and alerted port staff.

The waka was smashed to pieces after the crew used it as shelter, swimming to the breakwater during lulls, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

The boys and two adults managed to make it to safety this way but Mr Poole said when he saw two students "getting worried" while still in the water he dived back in.

He and a 16-year-old held on to one another as they swam back to the breakwater but were caught in a large swell.

"That's when it got nasty. We lost each other and I was smashed into a cave bit, it was like being in a washing machine covered in barnacles."

One of the remaining students managed to clamber on to the breakwater, while the second was picked up by the tug Rupe.

Mr Poole was helped by a member of the port staff.

He said despite all taking "turns to have a wobble" the boys "were really good, all encouraging each other".

Police said all crew members had been wearing life jackets, but they would be looking at whether there was appropriate emergency equipment on board the waka.

Maritime New Zealand is considering whether it will launch an investigation.

- NZPA