20 Mar 2021

River rescue after boaties crash into West Coast bridge

4:52 pm on 20 March 2021

A group of boaties on the West Coast have been airlifted to safety after their boat crashed into a bridge on the Taramakau River - between Greymouth and Hokitika.

The Otira River, left, joins the Taramakau River on the West Coast.

The Otira River, left, joins the Taramakau River on the West Coast. Photo: 123RF

Emergency Services say they were called out shortly before 2pm today.

A spokesperson says the boaties managed to get to an island in the river where they were picked up by the rescue helicopter, before being dropped back to shore.

He says they received minor injuries and are being treated by St John at the scene.

The Taramakau River on the South Island's West Coast.

Photo: Google

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