11 May 2016

Pair rescued after trying to drive in Hutt River

11:55 pm on 11 May 2016

Two people have been rescued after trying to drive their vehicle in the Hutt River, north of Wellington.

Emergency services and Civil Defence rescue teams were called to the Totara Park bridge in Upper Hutt, after a vehicle got stuck in the water at about 9pm.

When police arrived, the pair had climbed onto the roof as the water began to rise rapidly.

They were given lifejackets and pulled out with ropes.

Police said it appeared they may have been drinking, and they were disappointed by what they called the pair's poor judgment, which put their lives at risk.