Two people remain missing after the quad bike they were riding rolled into a swimming hole in the rural Far North on Friday.
Six people were on the quad bike when it went into the swollen Waikainga Stream about 5.15pm, police said.
Four managed to get out of the water but searchers are still looking for the remaining two people.
Police confirmed shortly after noon that their dive squad had been requested to assist in the search in the Waikainga Stream.
“Support is being offered to those involved,” a spokesperson said.
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania told RNZ it was “really tragic” to hear about the crash.
“Any loss of life, or any accidents, or anyone going missing in any community in Aotearoa is obviously going to be terrible so just really hoping that our search and rescue can find our missing whānau members.”
He said the community in Peria would be devastated and the district council would offer any support it could.
“This area is really quite remote and really tight-knit as well so I know they will be incredibly anxious at this time.”
Emergency services and two rescue helicopters rushed to the Fern Flat Rd address in Peria, east of Kaitāia in Northland, yesterday.
Three people and the driver were last night taken to hospital with minor and moderate injuries while Search and Rescue continued their efforts into the evening.
Fern Flat Rd was closed last night.
Police said the search was continuing this morning.
It comes after case numbers spiked in May, June, July and again in September.