ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Diver hospitalised after being ‘pummelled’ by waves at Port Waikato

Publish Date
Sat, 23 Dec 2023, 3:20pm
A diver who got into trouble while spear-fishing in Port Waikato has been airlifted to hospital in a serious condition. Photo / Mike Scott
A diver who got into trouble while spear-fishing in Port Waikato has been airlifted to hospital in a serious condition. Photo / Mike Scott

Diver hospitalised after being ‘pummelled’ by waves at Port Waikato

Publish Date
Sat, 23 Dec 2023, 3:20pm

A diver who got into trouble while spear-fishing in Port Waikato has been airlifted to hospital in a serious condition. 

A spokesperson for Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter told the Herald the man, in his 30s, was out fishing when he got “pummelled by waves” and dragged underwater by his catchbag. 

A passing boat picked him up and took him to shore where he was met by paramedics before he was airlifted to the hospital. 

A St John spokesperson told the Herald they sent an ambulance and a helicopter to the scene where the person was in serious condition. 

“We assessed and treated one patient who was airlifted to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.” 

Last year, St John responded to 434 water incidents across New Zealand – a 14 per cent increase on the previous year. Between December 2022 and January 2023, they attended almost 200 water incidents, several of which were fatal. 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you