NZ rescuers airlift climbers
- 12 years ago
A New Zealand rescue team reaches a group of stranded climbers on Paritutu rock.
Thirteen people were scaling the cliff on the west coast of North Island when they fell into the water.
A rescue helicopter managed to winch most of the climbers to safety, but the search continues for two New Zealanders and a foreign student who remain missing.
A member of the emergency crews described the rescue effort so far.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) RESCUE HELICOPTER CREW MEMBER ANDY CRONIN:
"When we arrived on the scene there were 10 people on the base of Paritutu. They were sort of huddled up, there was one who was lying down, he was pretty cold, another couple who were quite cold. So we've had a look for survivors in the water. Unfortunately we haven't been able to find anyone alive so then we've winched the 10 remaining people off the rock."
Police say rescue efforts are being made more difficult due to rough weather conditions.
Thirteen people were scaling the cliff on the west coast of North Island when they fell into the water.
A rescue helicopter managed to winch most of the climbers to safety, but the search continues for two New Zealanders and a foreign student who remain missing.
A member of the emergency crews described the rescue effort so far.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) RESCUE HELICOPTER CREW MEMBER ANDY CRONIN:
"When we arrived on the scene there were 10 people on the base of Paritutu. They were sort of huddled up, there was one who was lying down, he was pretty cold, another couple who were quite cold. So we've had a look for survivors in the water. Unfortunately we haven't been able to find anyone alive so then we've winched the 10 remaining people off the rock."
Police say rescue efforts are being made more difficult due to rough weather conditions.