Coastguard volunteer airlifted to hospital after large wave leaves boat without power [Video]

Seven Coastguard volunteers were injured, including one person who had to be airlifted from a boat, while crossing a notorious West Coast river bar.

After a training exercise at sea, the Ivan Talley Rescue boat was crossing the Grey River bar around 10.15am on Saturday when it was unexpectedly hit by a large wave.

All seven crew members were injured and power to both engines was lost.

The wave caused the boat to “broach”, meaning it lost control and dramatically changed course into the wind.

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A bar is an underwater build up of silt, sand and mud at the entrance to a harbour or river. As the open water becomes shallow, …