Three saved from rising tide after 4WD rolls

Police officers, surf club members, helicopter staff and volunteer firefighters all rushed to the crash site to help the injured before the fast-approaching water could get to them.

A drive along Muriwai Beach turned to near-disaster yesterday when a four-wheel-drive vehicle rolled, trapping one person inside and leaving two unconscious on the sand with a fast-approaching tide.

The accident happened at least 15km north of the main beach and few people were around to see the Toyota Hilux flip on to its back wheels just before 10am.

It is not known exactly what caused the vehicle to roll or whether two of the passengers, who were found lying on the sand, were thrown from the vehicle or got out and then collapsed. The trapped person was understood to have been in too much pain from a suspected dislocated shoulder to leave the vehicle.

A ranger, working at the northern end of the beach, is believed to have stumbled across the accident and called for help, triggering a full-scale emergency rescue to beat the incoming tide.

Police, the local surf club, rescue helicopter and volunteer firefighters were involved.

Inspector Alan Wright said the trio's injuries were not life-threatening, but the situation could have turned nasty because of the fast-approaching water.

A police dog unit and the Eagle helicopter rushed to the beach carrying cylinders of oxygen in case the trapped victim needed to breathe under water.

The Westpac rescue helicopter flew the two people found lying on the beach to Auckland City Hospital. They had moderate head, chest and leg injuries.

The trapped person was removed from the 4WD and driven back down the beach to a waiting ambulance.

Westpac helicopter crew member Greg Brownson said the trio were "very, very sore and [feeling] very sorry for themselves".

Last July, three people died when their 4WD rolled at Muriwai.

Several weeks later, six people escaped with minor injuries after theirs also overturned on the beach.

Then in September, four people were taken to hospital following a similar beach incident near Levin.

It is not known whether the people in yesterday's accident were wearing seatbelts or if speed was involved.