Whanganui District Council says security lapse led to group being locked in Durie Hill Tower

Four people were trapped in the Durie Hill Tower on Tuesday night after a security mistake.

Whanganui District Council says a security guard’s error led to four people being locked in the Durie Hill Tower at night.

The Whanganui Fire Brigade and police were called to the tower on Tuesday at 11.43pm after four people became trapped past its closing time.

Council parks and property manager Tania Henare said following an investigation they found that, after being delayed on another job, a security guard had failed to walk the tower as agreed before locking the door.

“We have addressed this with Armourguard, who manage this task,” Henare said.

It was “an unusual event” and they were not aware of any recent incidents in which someone had been locked in the tower, she said.

“We do appreciate it will have been frightening for the visitors who found themselves locked in, and have sought assurances it will not occur again.”

A sign at the entrance of the Durie Hill Tower says it closes at dusk. Photo / Mike Tweed

Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager Murray Dunbar said two fire trucks from Whanganui Fire Station were sent to the incident.

“It was probably a bit traumatic for the people [who] got locked in there,” Dunbar said.

The stone tower has a winding staircase with barred windows which leads up to a viewing point enclosed by a metal dome. It was built in 1925 as a memorial to fallen soldiers of World War I.

On Tuesday night, firefighters at the scene called the security company to let out the trapped people.

Henare said during the daylight saving period, the tower was locked after 8pm and no later than 10pm.

A sign at the entrance to the tower says: “This tower will be closed at dusk every day. When the hooter is sounded, please vacate immediately”.

The council has been contacted for comment regarding whether the hooter in the tower is working.

Times the Durie Hill Tower gets locked

Daylight saving – After 8pm and no later than 10pm.

Non-daylight saving – After 7pm and no later than 9pm

Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news. She began as a reporter in 2023.