The Solomon Islands Police Force and the Participating Police Force has helped rescue six people from a sunken boat that was stranded on an island near Gizo in Western Province.

The boat was transporting a woman who was in labour from Pange village on Ranonga Island to Gizo Hospital when it capsized in bad weather shortly after midday on 25 September 2007.

The boat and the engine sunk, leaving the passengers to cling on to pieces of timbers and floaters.

The passengers include three men, two women and a one and a half year old child. They eventually made it ashore on an island just off Gizo early the next day, 26 September 2007.

The passengers of the sunken boat were spotted by some fishermen who then notified police.

A coordinated police operation was conducted during which the passengers of the sunken boat were transported safely to Gizo.

They were medically checked and are recovering at the Gizo Hospital.