Students' waka sinks in sea scare

MARK DWYER/ Taranaki Daily News

SAFE: New Plymouth Boys' High School teacher George Poole, 32, having his first cup of tea after surviving a dramatic afternoon in wintry-water with five others after their waka sank off the main breakwater at Port Taranaki yesterday.

MARK DWYER/ Taranaki Daily News

SMASHED: All that remains of the waka paddled by the New Plymouth Boys' High School waka ama team after it was smashed against Port Taranaki's main breakwater.

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A high school teacher was slammed against breakwater rocks as he attempted to rescue students from pounding seas as their waka sank off Port Taranaki yesterday.

George Poole, 32, a chemistry teacher from New Plymouth Boys' High School was taken with four boys aged between 14 and 16 and a second staff member to Taranaki Base Hospital where they were treated for abrasions and hypothermia following the ordeal which saw them spend an hour and a half in the winter water.

Mr Poole said the waka ama (outrigger canoe) team had no intention of leaving the safety of the harbour for their 2pm training session but were caught by rising seas, which swamped the boat and forced them past the main breakwater.

It was not until 3.30pm that emergency services were called after two 14-year-old boys, one reported to be "hysterical", climbed over the main breakwater and alerted port staff.

The waka was smashed to pieces after the crew used it as shelter, swimming to the breakwater during lulls.

The boys and two adults managed to make it to safety this way but Mr Poole said when he saw two students "getting worried" while still in the water he dived back in.

He and a 16-year-old held on to one another as they swam back to the breakwater but were caught in a large swell.

"That's when it got nasty. We lost each other and I was smashed into a cave bit, it was like being in a washing machine covered in barnacles. I took a few head shots and that worried me, I know what it's like to be knocked out from rugby and I was almost there."

One of the remaining students managed to clamber on to the breakwater, while the second was picked up by the tug Rupe.

Mr Poole, who had been wearing only stubbies during the entire incident, was helped by a member of the port staff.

He said despite all taking "turns to have a wobble" all the boys had followed the plan and "were really good, all encouraging each other".

He also thanked the port staff who he said had clambered all over the rocks as soon as they heard there was trouble and had been instrumental in the positive result.

Despite being called a hero by the school, Mr Poole said he had simply followed the plan and was keen to relax after the cold few hours.

"I mostly feel like a cup of tea at the moment," he said, adding he was sure he would be back at work today and expected nothing more than "a bit of ribbing" from his co-workers.

All of the waka crew were discharged from hospital yesterday evening.

Police attended the scene and said while all members of the crew had been wearing life jackets, whether there was appropriate emergency equipment such as a waterproof radio needed to be looked into.

Maritime Safety has been informed and is considering an investigation into the incident.

- © Fairfax NZ News