Woman critically hurt in boating mishap

Rescuers revived a woman who was pulled from heavy seas last night after a boating accident at Maketu in the western Bay of Plenty.

Penny Gibson from the Maketu Surf Club said the woman was not breathing and did not have a pulse when brought to shore.

The woman and her male companion had been floundering in the estuary after their small dinghy capsized in heavy surf, said Mrs Gibson.

The woman was flown to Tauranga hospital by helicopter in a critical condition.

Her companion was taken to hospital in a serious condition.