Missing man named
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| Shaun Hogarth, aged 23, from Tauranga is still missing after the dinghy he was aboard capsized in the Tauranga Harbour last night. |
(Latest: 3.00pm)
A man missing after boat capsized in Tauranga Harbour last night has been named as Shaun Hogarth, aged 23, from Tauranga.
Shaun was one of four men who appear to have taken a dinghy to go fishing. They had their own outboard motor with them. None of the men are experienced on the water and the weather conditions were poor. Police are still working to establish the full circumstances of the incident. The boat which was located near Matakana Island by searchers this morning will also be examined.
Shaun's family have issued the following statement: "We're all together as a family and are hoping and praying that he's safe somewhere and will be found soon. We don't wish to say anything further at this stage and would ask that the media respect our need for privacy at this difficult time."
Police are also trying to locate another one of the men who was on the boat. Three of the men made it to shore but one of those men, 22-year-old Liam Kane, has not been seen since raising the alarm with a member of the public. Police are speaking with the other two.
Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said: "When Liam was seen on the shore last night he appeared to be in good health but it is important that we locate him, not only to check on his welfare, but to find out everything he knows about events last night. It could be that he has information about events that would assist those coordinating the search and help bring some answers to Shaun's family who are understandably very distressed."
Police are urging Liam Kane, or anyone who knows where he is, to contact the Police as soon as possible.
(1.30pm)
A boat located by Matakana Island this morning has been confirmed as the boat that capsized in Tauranga Harbour last night with four men on board.
The vessel was discovered by the Mount Surf Club searching the waterways on an IRB. They located the aluminium dinghy upside down by the bottom of the cliffs between Matakana Point and Tahunamanu Point, directly north of Omokoroa Point where the men set off from last night.
From the information known at this stage it would appear that after the boat has capsized the winds and currents have pushed it towards Matakana Island where it has grounded.
Inquiries indicate that the boat was stolen. The full facts and circumstances which led to the incident are still being established and the primary focus at this stage is locating the man who was not seen to make his way to shore.
Police expect to name the missing man later today. His family are being supported by Police and Victim Support and request privacy at this time.
Earlier: (9.15am) Search for missing man resumes
Searching has resumed this morning for a man missing after a small aluminium boat sank in the Tauranga Harbour.
The alarm was raised at approximately 8pm last night after three of the men on the boat made it to shore. They had set off from the Omokoroa Peninsula and it is believed that they were fishing near Motuhoa Island when the incident happened.
The TECT Rescue Boat has this morning transported nine LandSAR volunteers to Matakana Island, Motuhoa Island and Omokoroa Peninsula (three at each location) to search the shoreline.
Members of the Mount Surf Club and Omanu Surf Club are searching the water on four Inflatable Rigid Boats (IRBs). All boaties in the area have been asked to look out for the missing man and boat.
The search is being coordinated by Police and Coastguard.
Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said: "We are still hopeful that the missing man has made it ashore somewhere but the strong winds last night made for very poor conditions. The wind has eased a little this morning which will assist the searching."
The family of the missing man, who is in his 20s, have been advised and are being supported by police and Victim Support. His name is not being released at this stage. comments powered by Disqus