Family clung to chilly bin after dinghy sunk- survivor

The Taupo-based Lion Foundation Rescue Helicopter searches for signs of the sunken dinghy. Photo / Supplied

Three family members clung to a chilly bin when their dinghy sank in Lake Taupo, before two of them drowned.

The bodies of 44-year-old Stephen Pervan and his 28-year-old son Ben Pervan were found floating at the southern end of the lake this morning.

The search for the two men began when another of Stephen Pervan's sons, who survived the sinking, was found by a boatie lying on the lakeshore at 9am.

He has told police his fishing trip with his father and brother began at 7.30pm last night, when they left from the Tokaanu end of the lake in a dinghy.

The man says they fished in an area known as the Tongariro Delta, before heading back to shore at around midnight.

He says soon afterwards the boat was swamped and all three men were thrown into the water.

He says they clung to a chilly bin before he decided to swim for shore.

The survivor was found on the shore about 9.30am today - nine hours after the capsize.

Police did not know if the three were wearing lifejackets.

Members of the public had reported a boat in difficulties on the lake, police said.

The capsized boat could not be found in spite of a search by the Lion Foundation Rescue helicopter and the Turangi Coastguard, whose crew recovered the bodies.

- NZPA with NZHERALD STAFF