A 62 year old Kawerau man is dead after becoming trapped under his boat when it capsized in water on Sunday off the coast of Kopua, a small area east of Te Kaha.

The man, Donelly MacPherson, was out in his boat, about 100m offshore in a rocky area retrieving crayfish pots at the time.

Police say it appears he became trapped under his boat when it capsized after being hit side-on by a wave.

A 21 year old man swam out to the capsized boat and made several attempts to rescue Donelly.

He dived under the boat where the deceased was trapped, but stated the petrol fumes nearly overcame him so he had to surface.

Police say the rescuer went back under the boat to try again before once again being overcome by petrol fumes.

Two neighbours went out in their boats to assist, but Donelly had already drowned, say police.

They have since retrieved the body from under the boat.

Police would like to thank all those involved in the attempted rescue and in the recovery.