9 Jul 2012

Fisherman survives after rogue wave smashes boat

10:25 pm on 9 July 2012

A fisherman has survived after a rogue wave smashed his boat on to rocks on the West Coast.

Kenneth Trathen set off from Little Wanganui in his four-metre boat near Karamea at midday on Monday and was due to return two hours later.

His partner raised the alarm when he did not return by 6pm.

Westport police say a helicopter located the man who made it ashore after his boat was wrecked.

Police were bringing him back to the small town of Granity on Monday night and will interview him on Tuesday.