Boaties rescued from Taieri River

Two men are recovering in hospital after being rescued from the Taieri River at Taieri Mouth, 40km southwest of Dunedin, after their boat flipped about midday.

Acting Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan told NZPA locals and the rescue helicopter got the men, both aged 23, to shore. They were then airlifted to Dunedin Hospital suffering mild hypothermia.

"(It was) excellent work by the locals down there, once again," Mr McLellan said.

The Taieri Mouth bar could be dangerous if people were not familiar with it, and the locals were "well-skilled" in rescuing people, he said.

- NZPA