A lifeguard said two men who were on a boat that capsized near Clarks Beach in the Manukau Harbour on Sunday night were spotted running out of the water and along the shore raising the alarm.

The search led by Coastguard and police continues today to look for a missing person.

The lifeguard said they were about to go out on a boat to help with the search while many locals were searching along the shoreline this morning.

A local woman said she cared for two people who were “hypothermic and looked under distress” last night.

 “They had swum from the upturned boat to the shore,” she said.

A police spokesperson said one person remained outstanding after a boat with five people onboard capsized around 7pm.

Jill Gillanders was in her motorhome by the boat ramp when she noticed emergency services gathering.

 “Helicopters were hovering above and Coastguard brought someone on the stretcher to the ambulance,” she said.

Police are reminding people about how to be safe on the water.

“As the warmer months approach, police continue to urge all of those taking to the water to ensure they are carrying all appropriate safety equipment with them.

“This includes wearing life jackets.”

Police would continue to provide further updates on this incident as they become available.

Locals flocked to the water at Clarks Beach as the incident occurred. Photo / Benjamin Plummer

Yesterday, one person was dead and two other people made it to shore while a third was plucked from the water by rescuers aboard the Eagle helicopter. All three patients were transported to Middlemore Hospital.

Two rescue helicopters, the Eagle helicopter, and the airport hovercraft all assisted with search efforts.

The Coastguard confirmed it had two boats in the water, manned with volunteers assisting police with search efforts.

The owner of a local bed and breakfast said he saw Auckland Airport’s hovercraft helping with search efforts. The Coastguard was turning down locals’ offers to assist in the search, the man said.

Another eyewitness described seeing two women “running up the beach that had just been in the water”.

Three jet skis were also assisting with search efforts.

The boat has been recovered by Coastguard.