VOLUNTEERS from Marine Rescue Port Macquarie (MRPM) rescued five people following an outrigger canoe rollover on the Hastings River bar on Tuesday evening.
Volunteer radio operators at Marine Rescue Port Macquarie were alerted to the unfolding emergency just after 5.30pm.
“Six people were reported to be in the water,” said Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan.
“Marine Rescue NSW volunteers were deployed on jet skis and aboard rescue vessel Port Macquarie 21.
“One paddler was believed to be injured and was initially taken on board a second outrigger canoe before being transferred to shore by Surf Life Saving NSW personnel and assessed by paramedics.”
The five remaining paddlers were taken aboard the rescue vessel, assessed and safely returned to shore.
Inspector Sullivan said conditions on the bar were dangerous, with a hazardous surf warning in place.
He advised people using either powered or non-powered craft to check conditions every time they went out on the water.
“When a hazardous surf warning is in place, people should consider changing or delaying their plans,” he said.
“Coastal bars are dangerous at the best of times: they are certainly no place to be during hazardous conditions.
“This group of paddlers is extremely lucky that Surf Life Saving NSW and Marine Rescue were both on the water and in the radio room and able to come to their assistance.”
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