George Dickson

4:00pm - 7:00pm

Email the studio

EMF

Unbelievable

Listen Live

Harrogate commander praised as 'hero' following New Zealand ship crash

Friday, 11 October 2024 11:51

Commander Yvonne Gray from Harrogate is in the New Zealand navy. (Image: NZ Defence Force)

A Harrogate woman in charge of a New Zealand navy vessel that sunk has been praised for saving the lives of her crew.

Commander Yvonne Gray was in charge of the HMNZS Manawanui - a £60million vessel - when it ran into a reef off the coast of Samoa last Saturday (5th October).

And Commander Gray has since been praised for saving lives after all 75 members of the crew were rescued.

They were rescued at 5:35am the morning after the incident before smoke began pouring from the ship and it started to lean.

Within 12 hours, the ship had sunk - the first ever loss of a ship by the New Zealand navy during peacetime.

But the decision-making of Commander Gray has been described as “life-saving.”

Rear-Admiral Garin Golding, chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, said:

“She made the decision and it was the right decision.

"Evacuating a ship at night is an incredibly complex and dangerous task."

A former Harrogate resident, Commander Gray attended Bilton Grange Primary School and Granby High School.

She signed up the Royal Navy in 1993 before moving to New Zealand in 2012 after 19 years of service.

In a NZ Defence Force statement, she said her team “responded in exactly the way I needed them to”:

“They acted with commitment, with comradeship and, above all, with courage.”

New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins says a Court of Inquiry will establish how the Navy ship crashed into a reef.

More from Local News

Harrogate Town midfielder joins AFC Fylde on loan

Harrogate Town midfielder Conor McAleny has joined AFC Fylde on loan until the end of the season.
Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen to return as Harrogate Dog Show judge

Harrogate BID has announced that the Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen, will return as the star judge for the Harrogate Dog Show 2026.
Crime writer leads children's storytelling workshops

Children in six Harrogate and Knaresborough schools are getting the opportunity to hone their storytelling skills thanks to a series of workshops led by crime fiction writer Rachael Blok.
Three's A Crowd owner 'proud' of venue's success ahead of seventh birthday

The owner of a popular Harrogate bar and restaurant has spoken of his pride as the venue prepares to mark its seventh anniversary.
Suspended sentence for thieves who stole chocolate worth £5,000

Two prolific shoplifters have been given suspended sentences after stealing almost £5,000 worth of chocolate from shops in Harrogate and across the country.
Harrogate business delivers 70 Easter eggs to local schoolchildren

A Harrogate business has donated nearly 70 Easter eggs to children in need at a local primary school.
Council has one of country's worst records on unreasonable planning decisions

North Yorkshire Council has defended its planning department after it was found to have one of the worst records in the country for making decisions deemed unreasonable by the Planning Inspectorate.
Slingsby Gin brand finds new buyer - but shop set to close

The iconic Slingsby Gin brand has been sold to a new owner after entering administration - but its Harrogate shop will permanently close.
Harrogate sets out plan to be named UK's first Town of Culture

Harrogate is setting out its ambition to become the UK's first Town of Culture in 2028.
Harrogate school to host unique circus fundraising event

A primary school in Harrogate is set to host a circus-themed fundraising event for the first time this spring.
Harrogate women to host padel tournament in aid of breast cancer charity

Harrogate fundraiser Emily Lethaby is continuing her efforts to raise £4,000 for breast cancer charity 'CoppaFeel!' ahead of her 100km trek across the Great Wall of China.
Himalayan Gardens near Ripon to reopen for new season

The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park near Ripon is set to open for its new season next week.
Willow Tree Primary secures £150,000 grant for new nursery

A Harrogate primary school has secured major funding to develop new teacher-led nursery provision as part of a new "Early Education Centre" for the town.
National university darts championship to be held in Harrogate

Around 250 university students are set to arrive in Harrogate this weekend for one of the UK's largest amateur darts tournaments.
Vineyard near Harrogate celebrates 10th anniversary

A popular vineyard between Harrogate and York is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
New luxury lounge with adults-only area to open at Leeds Bradford Airport

A new premium airport lounge featuring an adults-only and quiet area is set to open at Leeds Bradford Airport next week.
Caretaker to restore Ripon school's historic clocktower

A school caretaker is undertaking an extraordinary restoration project to bring the building's iconic clocktower back into working order - decades after it last kept time.
Harrogate CBD business shortlisted for national award

A Harrogate-based CBD business has been shortlisted for a national customer service award.
New homes in Kirkby Malzeard allocated to people with connection to the village

People have begun moving into their new homes on a mixed-tenure development in a rural village near Ripon.
New coffee shop to open in Harrogate next week

A new independent coffee shop will open its doors in Harrogate next week, offering free drinks on its first day.