A person has died after they were knocked unconscious during a yacht race in the Bay of Islands last night.
The incident occurred on a yacht racing in the Coastal Classic at around 11.30pm near Cape Brett.
Coastguard volunteers were conducting a night-time training exercise in the area when they "were unexpectedly tasked to respond" to a distress call.
"A crew member on board the yacht had been struck by the boom, rendering them unconscious and necessitating immediate medical attention," a spokesperson said.
"Upon reaching the yacht at shortly after 1am, one of our crew boarded with a medical kit including a defibrillator. Sadly, the individual passed away."
Two other sailors sustained moderate injuries, according to the agency. The Coastguard vessel accompanied the yacht back to Opua, arriving shortly before 4am.
Coastguard volunteer Ayden Armitage said that the training coinciding with the Coastal Classic race was a strategic decision and significantly reduced their response time.
“Our thoughts are with the whānau of the sailor and their fellow crew members who were on board at the time," he said.
The Coastal Classic is an annual 220km race organised by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club between Auckland’s Devonport Wharf and Russell in the Bay of Islands.
Club commodore Adrian Percival said the club had been advised of the serious incident.
"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and crew and we now turn to supporting our family of sailors.”
The club is working with police, Coastguard and Yachting New Zealand to assist with their enquiries.
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