Student flees Christchurch only to be stranded on ferry (+ video, photos)

The Dominion Post ferry in Wellington Harbour in a deep trough. Photo / NZPA

A student who moved to Wellington to escape earthquake devastation in Christchurch was among those trapped in a ferry as it was struck by wild seas this morning.

Scots College principal Graham Yule said the student was transferred from St Andrew's College after last week's deadly earthquake.

He was trapped with 27 other Scots College pupils as huge waves hit the East by West ferry 100m off Worser Bay at 8.30am today.

The emergency came less than 12 hours after a 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit 20km north-west of Wellington at a depth of 40km.

Police Senior Sergeant Scott Miller said there were 44 passengers and crew on the ferry at the time of the incident.

One passenger was rescued by emergency services after being knocked overboard by the waves, he said.

All those on board have now been accounted for after being transported to the Worser Bay Yacht Club by police and coastguard.

Two people - including the captain of the vessel - had been taken to hospital with suspected hypothermia, Mr Miller said.

Passenger David Woodnorth said the ferry nosedived into a wave which punched through the front windows of the vessel, soaking passengers, many of whom suffered cuts and grazes.

Mr Miller said three or four cubic metres of water had flooded into the ferry when it nosedived but he did not think the boat had been in any danger of sinking.

- NZHERALD STAFF, with NZPA