Loving dad found dead in the water

Raymond Saunders. Photo / Supplied.

A heroic rescue attempt by campers at a popular holiday spot could not save the life of a fisherman who drowned when his boat sank.

Raymond Saunders, 68, was found face down in the water off the western coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.

His distraught widow, Jenny, told would-be rescuers: "He was a stubborn bastard for not wearing a life jacket."

Holidaymakers at Otautu Bay campground, 31km north of Coromandel township, sprang into action on New Year's Eve after spotting Saunders' fishing mate, Todd Johnson, trapped on rocks 40m offshore.

Cary Terelmes and her niece, Sarah Harris, waded and swam out to the rock to find Johnson injured and shaking.

He told them: "Boat down. Someone else out there."

Jan van den Berg and two other rescuers found Saunders face down in the water, close to the rock where Johnson was found. They carried out CPR until the arrival of paramedics, who pronounced him dead.

Another camper, Maree Davis, said: "It made for a sombre New Year's Eve."

Police praised the campers' efforts as "an example of an amazing community of people".

Saunders' daughter, Jolene Emery, said the family was in shock and trying to come to terms with the loss of a dad, granddad of 14 children and great-granddad.

"[Mum is] reflecting on her husband and best friend.

"All the grandchildren are really upset. He was so loved by all his children. He was so strong, he was our rock. He was fiercely loyal. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed [it]."

Saunders was due to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary in July.

Terelmes and Harris came ashore to be met by nurse Beverley Parton, who had come to meet them with dry towels and a duvet.

Parton said: "They had [Johnson] on the beach, comforting him, trying to keep him warm. He had hypothermia and was shaking."

The family gathered at the family home in Kihikihi, Te Awamutu, to grieve yesterday.

Police said the 5.5m fishing boat sank after it was swamped in a heavy swell.

Eight boats from the Coastguard assisted with the recovery.

Saunders had been camping in the area with his wife, son and a group of family friends since Wednesday.

Emery said her dad was an experienced fisherman who was always safety conscious.

"He just loved fishing fishing, fishing, fishing."

Before retiring, Saunders had been "a jack of all trades". He had worked on the wharfs in Hawke's Bay, had farmed and had a passion for breeding parrots.

Te Awamutu Bird Club ex-treasurer Ian MacPherson said Saunders had cared for more than a hundred birds during his career many of which he hand-reared.

MacPherson said he had been fishing with Saunders who regularly went out with a group of friends from the local RSA.

Emery said it was unclear how the accident had happened but it was thought the men were out on her father's boat. Police said seas were rough at the time.

"It just seems so surreal. Something like this just couldn't happen to him."

Johnson was treated in Waikato Hospital for minor injuries, including grazing and skin damage from the sun and salt water, and was discharged.

John Bonning, clinical director of the emergency department, said Johnson was in shock when treated by staff.

"He was devastated about what had happened. He just seemed like a really nice man."

Water Safety New Zealand general manager Matt Claridge said most boaties who didn't wear life jackets relied on their experience to avoid any human error.

But he said there were many factors outside a boatie's control, which meant life jackets were essential.

"To say, 'she'll be alright' and 'it will not happen to me' as an attitude is just not going to cut it."

He acknowledged that some fisherman chose not to wear life jackets because they were cumbersome, but urged boaties to get life-jackets that were easily accessible.

Claridge reminded skippers that ensuring everyone on board was wearing a life jacket was a legal obligation in hazardous conditions.