Teens rescued after one swept away crossing river in Tararua Forest Park
Photo:
Supplied / NZ police
Packing a personal locator beacon paid off for two teenagers, when one was swept down a river north of Wellington on Sunday.
The two 15-year-olds were returning from an overnight hike to Kapakapanui Hut in the Tararua Forest Park, when they fell into trouble trying to cross the Ngatiawa River.
Constable Alex McCormack said the river was rising from heavy rain, and the flow swept one of the boys off his feet and carried him downstream.
"His friend made the right choice not to go in after him. The boys thought it was crossable, but underestimated the power the water was packing."
The teen in the water managed to reach safety, but on the opposite riverbank.
He stayed where he was and activated the locator beacon, while the other boy walked to the end of the track to await police and family members.
"The search and rescue team were able to assist the second teen out, and both of them were fine - just a little cold and wet.
"The fact they're okay is a real relief, given what the river was looking like."
Some of the Land Search and Rescue volunteers who helped locate the two boys.
Photo:
Supplied / NZ police
Constable McCormack said the rescue showed the value of taking a locator beacon and studying the weather forecast.
"Both these guys did lots of things right, but it shows how quickly the conditions can change."
Constable McCormack said it was not safe to risk crossing a flooded or fast-rising river.
"Despite all that, they packed a locator beacon and used it when they needed to.
"Importantly, the one with the beacon stayed put after activating it, so we were able to find them without any trouble."
Constable McCormack said the rescue effort included Land Search and Rescue volunteers, the Rescue Coordination Centre and local landowners, who provided advice and allowed the rescue team access through their land.
"There are a lot of people willing to drop everything to help a stranger and we couldn't do it without them," he said.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter
curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
'Extremely icy' road south of New Plymouth closed
SH60 closed off north of Tākaka. Shortly up the road is the bridge across the Tākaka River to Collingwood. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Emergency services have been called to Pembroke Road in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, formerly known as Egmont National Park, after a report of several vehicles sliding on ice and coming off the road. No injuries have been reported. The road is currently extremely icy and will be closed. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- RNZ News
Strong winds force Cook Strait ferry cancellations
Bluebridge has cancelled three sailings while the InterIslander has also cancelled the Aratere's crossings. Photo: RNZ / Mary Argue Cook Strait passenger ferry sailings have been cancelled due to strong winds and large swells. MetService was forecasting four-metre swells and winds of over 80km/h in the Cook Strait on Sunday. InterIslander cancelled the Aratere's 4pm sailing from Wellington and the return 8.50pm trip from Picton. Kaitaki sailings had also been delayed by almost five hours after the rough weather added to crossing and turnaround times. Bluebridge cancelled two sailings earlier in the day as well as their early morning sailing due to depart Wellington at 2am on Monday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
20 hours ago
- RNZ News
Snow closes Desert Rd as freezing temperatures bite
Snow like this pictured in 2018 has closed Desert Road near Mt Ruapehu. Photo: Supplied/NZTA Desert Road has been closed on Sunday morning because of snow. The section of State Highway 1 from Waiouru to Rangipo closed just after 6am. A diversion is in place around the Western side of Mt Ruapehu via Waimarino and Ohakune. MetService issued a road snowfall warning on Friday for the notorious road over the weekend, when it forecast between 1cm and 3cm of snow above 800 metres, and lesser amounts down to 600m. The snow has brought cold temperatures to the region with Waiouru and Ohakune expecting high temperatures of 3 degrees and 2 degrees respectively on Sunday. In the South Island at Lewis Pass a road snowfall warning was also in place for much of the weekend. MetService said snow was expected to affect SH7 mainly between Hanmer and Lewis Pass with 1 to 2cm of snow accumulating on the road at times. And further south snow and showers were expected on SH73 at Porters Pass, where a road snowfall warning was also in place. MetService's next update would be issued late-morning on Sunday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
