Machinery blamed for near death mud sinking

Heavy machinery operating on Omokoroa beach has been blamed for loosening soil resulting in a trapped couple fearing for their lives in a quicksand-like substance.

Whakamara couple Ian Jacobs and Cheryl Friedland were walking their fox terrier Fizz around the headland on Sunday when they became trapped. As they walked they began to sink into thick mud and struggled to get out.

The shaken couple managed to escape but said it could have easily gone more wrong.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council development engineering manager Peter Clarke today confirmed the council had been using heavy machinery in the north easy area of the peninsula, where the couple became trapped. The work was to progress the building of a rock wall on the peninsula.

The works involved the transport of heavy rocks from the Katikati Quarry in and around the foreshore, Mr Clarke said.

Works began in July and were still underway as recently as today, he said.

"It's a natural environment, there are soft spots ... but this has probably been exacerbated by the rock work that was done.

"I'm sure the trucks and the works haven't helped it."

Mr Clarke said it was the first incident of its kind that the council has had to deal with.

Cheryl Friedland: " just went flat and screamed for my partner." Photo / Supplied

"The council has been doing rock walls for 10 years around Omokoroa with no problem but the geology of the soil is that it can produce a lot of soft stuff. There's not a lot you can do."

The rock wall was necessary to prevent erosion from the sea, he said.

Council staff were made aware of the incident on Sunday. Warning signs were installed on Monday while council staff investigated the incident.

Mr Clarke said the council had erected more warning signs at the points of entry to the foreshore.

"These signs will be monitored to ensure they are not removed or shifted. We're also in the process of developing more permanent signage to complement the existing information," Mr Clarke said.

The couple told the Bay of Plenty Times the incident was awful and they wanted to ensure no one else fell victim.

"It's bloody dangerous, I tell you. It could have been it for us," Mr Jacobs said.
"I'm 61, Cheryl's 51, we are not young. It could have gone the wrong way."