Peter McKenzie and his mates were returning from lifting whitebaiting nets at the Waitutu River mouth when he suffered a medical event, losing consciousness and later dying. Photo / McKenzie family
Peter McKenzie and his mates were returning from lifting whitebaiting nets at the Waitutu River mouth when he suffered a medical event, losing consciousness and later dying. Photo / McKenzie family
The family of Peter McKenzie who died following a boating incident off the Southland coast say he was an experienced jet boater who was extremely safety conscious.
McKenzie's son, Daniel, said his father and his two friends were returning from lifting whitebaiting nets at the Waitutu River mouth on anice day with reasonable sea conditions when his father suffered a medical event.
The boat was then swamped by a rogue wave.
"There was an enduring distance swim to shore after letting off a flare. One of the men crossed rugged bush and challenging terrain to get help. Unfortunately it came too late to save Peter.
"We will have to wait for the post mortem results to be sure of what happened but Dad knew that part of the coast well and the two passengers say they felt safe.
"Dad respected the sea and was an expert boatie. We are devastated and ask for privacy so we can come to terms with this awful tragedy."
Peter McKenzie (left) and brother Morrell Mckenzie. Photo / File
Jet boating NZ immediate past president Paul Mullan yesterday said the boat came to a standstill, with the men trying to stay on it as long as possible before it dropped out from under them.
McKenzie then regained consciousness and he and another man were helped to shore by the third, younger, passenger.
That man then clambered through 2km of rugged terrain on his way to Waitutu Lodge.
