Two drown in runabout sinking
PA Wellington Two men who drowned in Wellington Harbour early yesterday had tried to put on their lifejackets in the water, a police launch master believes. The two were Ross Buckley, aged 22, and his step-brother, Michael Neiman, aged 19, both of Newlands. Searchers found the bodies about 12.30 a.m. yesterday, 11 hours after the two were last seen heading out toward Eastbourne in their small runabout.
The police do not know why the boating tragedy happened but the elderly 4.5 m ply and glass-fibre-coated boat will be examined carefully. A small hole in the hull is the only sign of damage. The police launch Lady Elizabeth found the first body at 12.28 a.m., 200 m south-east of Somes Island. Soon after they found the partly submerged boat, its bow floating out of the water. The second body was recovered nearby. The launchmaster, Constable Jim McLean, said it looked as if the young men made a frantic effort to put on their lifejackets once they were in the water. Unfortunately, they were not able to get them on
correctly and to secure the jackets. “It is virtually impossible, in any conditions, to get lifejackets on once you are in the water,” Constable McLean said. “They have to be well secured before you get into the water.” Senior-Sergeant Brent Craig, of the Wellington police, said the men were testing their recently renovated 50 horsepower outboard motor. They had set off from Evans Bay in the Blue Dolphin about 1 p.m. yesterday and were seen 30 minutes later heading toward Eastbourne. When the pair failed to return home, the worried family alerted the police at 9.07 p.m. and a search was started immediately. Five boats, including the Lady Elizabeth, the Somes Island boat Matus, a pilot boat and Wellington Sea Rescue combed the calm harbour. They were assisted by a Capital Helicopters, Ltd, pilot, Mr Peter Button, who used a powerful night light to illuminate the area. The police launch crew were the last to see the men alive. The Lady Elizabeth was patrolling the harbour when the runabout was spotted about 1.30 p.m. heading out toward Eastbourne. ,
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Press, 24 April 1984, Page 1
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361Two drown in runabout sinking Press, 24 April 1984, Page 1
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