Senior pupils went to the rescue of an Otago Boys' High School rowing eight when their skiff was hit by a powerboat driven by their coach in Otago Harbour.
Three pupils were taken to hospital after the collision yesterday morning, one with serious injuries, thought to have been caused by the boat's propeller.
Veteran rowing coach Fred Strachan (91) had been driving the aluminum boat moments before the crash.
Police southern shift inspector Lindsay Turner said the coach was speaking to the rowers through a loud-hailer when the collision happened.
A father of one of the boys told the Otago Daily Times he saw the coach's boat ''suddenly go out of control and just went over the boat and then slid back down''.
''It was just a freak accident.''
Emergency services were called to Magnet St, Dunedin, after the collision about 9.35am.
The propeller of the 40hp outboard motor ripped up the side of the rowing boat - leaving visible marks and seriously injuring one boy.
Another injured boy jumped into the water.
Otago Boys' High School rector Clive Rennie said the skiff was full of year 9 rowers returning to shore after practice, and senior rowers went to assist.
''Most of the kids are fine,'' Mr Rennie said.
''There were three that were initially put into hospital. One's been discharged, the other two are still in hospital, one for observation.
''The boy who took the biggest hit has some ongoing issues.
''I spent the whole day making sure the boys in the crew have been well looked after and the other boys who saw what was happening, making sure they've had plenty of support. We're proud of the senior boys and the way they reacted.''
Mr Strachan, who has coached rowers including gold medallist Hamish Bond for more than 70 years, was taken to Dunedin Hospital for observation.
Mr Rennie later said Mr Strachan had returned home.
''He's very upset about what happened and we're trying to make sure he gets plenty of support.''
A St John spokesman confirmed a 12-year-old boy was taken to Dunedin Hospital with a serious arm injury.
He remained there last night awaiting further assessment. Paramedics from two ambulances and one rapid response vehicle treated nine other patients for minor injuries, St John said.
One other rower suffered a suspected broken collarbone, and another was knocked out.
A Maritime New Zealand investigation has been launched.
Mr Rennie said reports Mr Strachan fell out of the boat before it went out of control were incorrect.
''Fred said when he slipped he fell back over the motor. I'm not sure he would have had control at that point.''
The school is conducting its own investigation.
Rowing New Zealand, in a statement yesterday, said it would ensure appropriate reporting processes were followed.
