'Wave action' caused fatal capsize

Police, ambulance services, the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter, and Eastern Rescue Helicopter attended after a local alerted emergency services.

Police have confirmed that wave action caused the fatal capsize of a small boat at Mahia on Thursday morning in which Mahia man Malcolm Blake died.

The 57-year-old was pulled from the water unconscious by the three other people on the boat and could not be revived.The four were lifting a crayfish pot offshore from Kinikini Road, on rugged coastline south of the main Mahia settlement, mid-morning Thursday when the mishap occurred.

"As they were pulling up the pot, a big wave hit the back of the boat," said Wairoa police Senior Sergeant Tony Bates."The whitewash hit the boat and pushed them into towards the rocks.

"Either the bow or the motor then caught on the reef and caused the boat to get side-on to the reef.

"At that point another wave came, hit them and flipped the boat over," Mr Bates said.

"They faced a swim of about 50 metres to reach the shore.

"The police inquiry into the tragedy was continuing, he said.

"The survivors have been referred to Victim Support for assistance."