Woman freed after 30m plunge into river

A woman has been rescued after her car careered into a Hastings river.

The car crashed down a 30m bank into the river, a police spokeswoman said.

While another occupant was able to get out of the vehicle, the woman was still inside until someone could abseil down to get her out.

Police said they were called to SH5 Tarawera near Pohokura where the car had gone into the river about 4.45pm.

The woman was rescued by a team using abseiling and rescue equipment about 7.40pm and was being treated by ambulance staff, a police spokeswoman said.

She apparently hadn't suffered any injuries but she was "very cold".

The spokeswoman said the car was "not moving in the river".