A couple had their car swept a kilometre down a river and clung to a chilly bin before hauling themselves to safety during the storm that hit the Coromandel on Wednesday.
The couple, known only as Molly and Oscar, had to grab on to a tree to stop themselves from being swept downstream when the campsite they were staying at in Coroglen flooded, Fairfax reported.
Ian Eggleton, co-owner of the camp, told Fairfax the couple had been travelling around the Coromandel before they stayed at his camp in Rangihau Rd near Whitianga.
A dam near the Pinnacles broke about 4am on Wednesday, causing the Waiwawa River to pour into the field where the couple were staying.
Eggleton said Oscar used his jersey to gauge the current of the river.