Tourist in intensive care after boat accident

An Australian tourist is intensive care in Wellington Hospital after being badly injured by a boat propeller in the Marlborough Sounds this morning.

Catherine Carlyle, 49, of Adelaide suffered deep cuts and fractures to her legs after she hopped off the back of a Dolphin Watch Ecotours boat to go for a swim and was struck by the winding down propeller in Waikawa Bay, Picton, about 10am.

This afternoon she was in a serious condition in intensive care, a hospital spokeswoman told NZPA.

Dolphin Watch Ecotours owner Glen McNeilly said Maritime New Zealand had been told of the accident and would investigate.

He had halted operations and arranged victim support for the two staff and six passengers on the boat at the time, Mr McNeilly told the Marlborough Express.

Ms Carlyle and her had been in New Zealand for a family reunion to celebrate the 80th birthdays of an aunt and uncle.

- NZPA