Rescue Crews Save Three at Beach Blowhole

By John Freer

A dramatic and incredible rescue at Whiritoa Beach this morning with three people being airlifted to safety.

It happened at the blowhole at the southern end of the beach. Rescue services including police, the Auckland-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Fire and emergency staff, surf life-savers and St John were all involved.

Two men visiting the beach became trapped as the sea was rising in the blowhole, while a third person observing the rescue, was sucked into the blowhole and then pushed out to sea.

The rescue helicopter crew airlifted one of the trapped people then just before winching the second person, they abandoned the lift to go and save the person swept out to sea. Once this was achieved the machine returned for the third lift.

Two of the people were then dropped at Whiritoa, the third being taken to Thames Hospital with a leg injury.

Sergeant Brad York of Police Search and Rescue was the incident controller and spoke to John Freer. Open the link below to hear the interview.