Three young people were rescued from the roof of a four-wheel-drive in the Opihi River in South Canterbury last night after a failed attempt to cross the swollen waterway.
A mane, two women and a dog had been trying to cross the river near Washdyke but called police after the vehicle became stuck about 5.30pm, the Timaru Herald reported.
It took police about 1 1/2 hours to find the bedraggled trio huddled together, clutching the dog.
The newspaper said the trio were finally winched from the roof of the vehicle about 8pm by a rescue helicopter.
During their rescue, the man stood up on the roof and screamed a tirade of abuse at a photographer taking photos of the ordeal.
"For whatever reason, they have tried to cross the swollen Opihi River," Sergeant Graham Sharp told The Timaru Herald during the rescue.
"They would certainly be pretty cold sitting on the top of the 4WD."
- NZPA
Three rescued after failed river crossing
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