One seriously injured in boat fire

Three people had to leap into the ocean after their boat caught fire off the Whangamata coastline on the Coromandel Peninsula today, the ambulance service says.

One person was flown to Waikato Hospital suffering from serious burns, ambulance communications team leader Glen Taylor told NZPA.

Another was being treated for moderate injuries at the Whangamata Medical Centre and a third person escaped injury, he said.

People in a boat in the area were able to pluck the trio from the sea and bring them back to shore.

The incident happened about 1.30pm near Mayor Island, Mr Taylor said.

It was not yet known what caused the blaze.

The vessel was a few kilometres from shore, but flames could be seen from land.

- NZPA