Auckland water rescue: Search for missing child after boat capsizes off Clarks Beach

A police operation on the Manukau Harbour has been called off for the day as the desperate search continues for a 10-year-old missing after a boat capsized.

Police confirmed one person remained missing following a boat flipping at 7pm on Sunday, killing one person.

The search will resume tomorrow. Coastguard, police, and locals are searching the area around Clarks Beach.

The missing 10-year-old is a student at Sandspit Road School and principal Sharyn de Jonge said the community was “devastated” and that “their hearts go out to the family”.

“We’re doing all we can to support everyone that is affected,” she said.

“We contacted families this morning to collect children from school in order that they hear the sad news in the safety of their homes and with the love of their family.”

She said the school is working with the Ministry of Education to ensure they will have a plan for the long-term support of students.

A resident walking along the beach said he’s been looking for the missing child since early morning.

“The police officer told me the whole family was out there, the mother drowned and the 10-year-old didn’t have a life jacket on.”

“They were fishing out at sea.”

Two men who were onboard the boat when it capsized near Clarks Beach were “hypothermic and under distress” after swimming to shore.

A local man at the scene said the two survivors who were on a boat were spotted running out of the water and along the shore raising the alarm.

Another resident said she cared for two people who were “hypothermic and looked under distress” after being in the water for hours last night.

“They had swum from the upturned boat to the shore,” she said.

Police are at Clarks beach today as the search continues. Photo / Jed Bradley

A police spokesperson said one person remained outstanding after a boat with five people onboard capsized around 7pm.

Jill Gillanders was in her motorhome by the boat ramp when she noticed emergency services gathering.

“Helicopters were hovering above and Coastguard brought someone on the stretcher to the ambulance,” she said.

Police are reminding people about how to be safe on the water.

“As the warmer months approach, police continue to urge all of those taking to the water to ensure they are carrying all appropriate safety equipment with them.

“This includes wearing life jackets.”

Police would continue to provide further updates on this incident as they become available.

Locals flocked to the water at Clarks Beach as the incident occurred. Photo / Benjamin Plummer

Yesterday, one person was dead and two other people made it to shore while a third was plucked from the water by rescuers aboard the Eagle helicopter. All three patients were transported to Middlemore Hospital.

Two rescue helicopters, the Eagle helicopter, and the airport hovercraft all assisted with search efforts.

The Coastguard confirmed it had two boats in the water, manned with volunteers assisting police with search efforts.

The owner of a local bed and breakfast said he saw Auckland Airport’s hovercraft helping with search efforts. The Coastguard was turning down locals’ offers to assist in the search, the man said.

Another eyewitness described seeing two women “running up the beach that had just been in the water”.

Three jet skis were also assisting with search efforts.

The boat has been recovered by Coastguard.

Police and emergency services are still at Clarks Beach.