Trapped cavers rescued

Rescue teams tonight extracted all six people from a cave in Northland after they became trapped inside during heavy rain this afternoon.

A Whangarei police spokeswoman said police search and rescue representatives and fire appliances with pumping and lighting equipment went to the caves, near Waipu, at about 4.30pm.

The six didn't appear to be in serious danger at any stage but it appeared heavy rain may have made exiting the cave slippery and difficult.

A helicopter and ambulance were on standby during the rescue and one of the six was taken to hospital in Whangarei, but was not believed to have serious injuries.

- NZPA