Teens safe after coastal rescue

Photo / Martin Sykes

Two teenagers caught in a cliff inlet on Auckland's North Shore have been rescued.

The girls, aged about 13 or 14, became briefly trapped by the incoming tide at Little Shoal Bay, at Birkenhead on the north coast of Waitemata Harbour, just before 3pm.

"They were walking around the coastline and got a bit scared when the tide came in quickly," Graham Jex of the police maritime unit said.

Fire, ambulance and police rescuers were called to the scene, and the police launch found the girls shortly afterwards, Mr Jex said.

"They had to wade out to the launch, where they were pulled on board."

Mr Jex said the girls were uninjured.

Rescue staff including the police Eagle helicopter were dispatched.

The pair have now been dropped off safe and sound at Northcote Beach.

- NZPA