Four people swept away in rip at Cape Farewell rescued by helicopter

By RNZ

Four people have been plucked from the rocks and a rip in a helicopter rescue after they were pulled from the beach by strong tides at Cape Farewell.

Police, Coastguard and Surf Life Saving NZ worked together on the rescue, shortly before 11am on Monday.

The four had been swept out from Wharariki Beach by a rip, at the far northwest tip of the South Island, Surf Live Saving NZ said in a statement.

“Initial reports were of two patients stranded on rocks, with a further two patients in the water.”

The rescuers called in both the search and rescue helicopter from Nelson Airport, and a HeliMed helicopter.

The HeliMed chopper was able to reach the scene first, and plucked all four to safety, flying them to the beach.

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