The person who inserted herself into a drain amid rapidly rising floodwaters could have died, Tauranga City Council says.
The council is warning against the behaviour of the woman who worked to protect businesses in Burrows St from floodwaters after heavy rain last night. The woman, who would only be known as Lucy, opened up drains and stood in them to remove debris and mud which had been blocking the drainage system.
However, team leader Wally Potts said when drains clear suddenly, it creates suction that pulls anything in the drain inward. A person in the drain could easily get stuck and drown, he said.
"It is absolutely not worth losing your life to save some properties from flooding," Potts said.
"We understand people want to save property, but it can be replaced. Our message is to never enter a drain.
