Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Elderly couple rescued from sinking yacht

Updated at 8:47 pm on 19 March 2010

An elderly Wellington couple have been plucked to safety from their yacht, which hit rocks off Plimmerton Beach near Wellington.

The couple called the police on their cellphone just before 10pm on Thursday, as their yacht was taking on water, and set off a flare.

Emergency services went to their aid and got them into a rescue boat as their boat sank beneath them.

Checked by ambulance staff and found to be unharmed, the couple were later able to return home.

Gary Spence of the Mana Coastguard praised the couple for their cool-headed response to the emergency.

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