Woman deserted by friends on Waikato river

A 38-year-old woman was rescued from the Waikato River early this morning. Photo / Doug Sherring

A woman got into trouble last night when she was deserted by friends while floating down Waikato River on a cheap inflatable raft.

The 38-year-old woman was rescued from the Waikato River early this morning after getting into difficulty when she set off down the river with a group of friends at 5pm yesterday.

The group had been heading down the river to Reid's Farm - a camping ground on Huka Falls Road.

Taupo Police constable Gavin Mackay said the woman, who lived locally, had got in to trouble because she did not have a paddle and was deserted by her friends.

She had taken refuge on a river bank below a steep cliff and yelled for help.

The woman's cries for help were heard by a woman living nearby just before 2am and the Lion Foundation Rescue Helicopter rescued her just after 4am a short distance below the Taupo bungy.

The woman was taken to Taupo Hospital with mild hypothermia - she was wearing only a bikini - and a cut to her leg.

- NZPA