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Three children were buried and killed tonight after a river-side cliff face fell on them as they played near a picnic ground in the Manawatu, police said.
A fourth child survived slightly injured.
Wellington communications police inspector Tom Ireland said emergency services were alerted at 6.25pm to the cliff fall in the Pohangina Valley, about 30km northeast of Palmerston North.
The children -- aged between 8 and 13 years -- were with family near a picnic ground in the Totara Reserve.
Mr Ireland said next of kin had been advised.
Emergency services were still at the scene.
Mr Ireland said the injured child who survived was taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment to minor injuries and later discharged.
It was understood the children lived in the district, Mr Ireland said.
Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council had closed the park and the cliff face collapse would be part of a coroner's investigation, he said.
The reserve on Old Coach Road, is a short scrambly drop down from the road 12km north of the Raumai Bridge and about 32km from Palmerston North.
- NZPA
