Abbey Caves rescue: One student missing after Whangārei trip

Emergency services at the scene of Abbey Caves where a school trip has turned into a rescue mission. Photo / Michael Cunningham

One student is still missing as rescuers rush to a caving spot in Whangārei where torrential downpours left members of a school trip trapped.

Northland Police district commander superintendent Tony Hill confirmed one person was unaccounted for following an incident at the Abbey Caves.

About 10.35am today it was reported the group was in difficulty, Hill said.

“A group of people have since made it out safely, however, one student is currently unaccounted for.

“The incident is still very much developing and we will provide further updates as they become available. Our thoughts are with the whānau of the missing child, as well as all those involved in the group outing and the school,” Hill said.

A source told the Herald the trapped group was a Year 11 outdoor education class from Whangārei Boys High School.

One group visited the caves yesterday and the Herald understands 15 students and two teachers from Whangārei Boys’ High School were visiting Abbey Caves this morning.

Severe thunderstorms and heavy downpours are impacting the area and surface flooding has been reported.

Whangārei Boys’ High School principal Karen Gilbert-Smith is at the caves and refused to comment as she pressed police for more information.

The high school announced it was closing school early on its Facebook page at about noon, but did not address the Abbey Caves incident.

A specialist cave rescue team has reportedly been brought in by Police Land Search and Rescue.

Three police cars at currently at the scene and road cordons are being put in place on both sides of Abbey Caves Rd to stop people accessing the site.

Ambulances and firefighters can also be seen at the caves.

A Northern Advocate reporter at the scene said the area was flooded.

Police confirmed it was monitoring the incident on Abbey Caves Rd, Whangārei, where it was reported a group was in difficulty, a spokesperson said.

“At this stage, Police will be assisting where required.”

Civil Defence Northland said a “Severe Thunderstorm Warning” has been issued for parts of Whangārei on top of the Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place at 11am.

- More to come

Emergency services at the scene of Abbey Caves where a school trip has turned into a rescue mission. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Emergency services at the scene of Abbey Caves where a school trip has turned into a rescue mission. Photo / Michael Cunningham