Lost smartphone recovered from 400 metres deep off West Coast

Saturday 30 August 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Sat 30 Aug 2025, 3:34pm

A fishing crew trawling near Ross recovered a smartphone from the Hokitika Trench approximately two weeks after it was lost overboard. The device, which belonged to Charlie Butterfield, contained a student ID, driver's licence, and bank card. The crew contacted the family after discovering the items at a depth of 400 metres.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffSat 30 Aug 2025, 1:13pm

   Phone lost overboard trawled up from ‘400 metres’ underwater, off the West Coast (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsSat 30 Aug 2025, 2:00pm

   Phone lost overboard trawled up from 400m deep off West Coast (opens in new tab)

3. RNZSat 30 Aug 2025, 2:54pm

   Phone lost overboard during fishing trip trawled up from 400 metres (opens in new tab)

4. Otago Daily TimesSat 30 Aug 2025, 3:34pm

   Phone lost overboard recovered by trawler (opens in new tab)