Van and wheelchair rescued
Volunteer firefighters had to rescue a van and a motorised wheelchair after they became stuck in sand near Baylys Beach as the tide was coming in. The incident occurred about 8am yesterday near Mahuta Gap, on Ripiro Beach south of the Baylys Beach settlement. Dargaville's deputy fire chief Michael Ross said the incident was initially reported as a crash but when the brigade arrived they found a van sunk to its axles in sand. Nearby a double amputee was similarly stuck deep in the sand in an electric wheelchair. The volunteer firefighters were able to get her back into the van via a wheelchair ramp, then towed the van onto firmer ground. The tide had turned and was starting to come in. The rescued pair, a man in his 30s and a woman thought to be in her 50s, were embarrassed but unharmed.
Accused back in court
A Raumanga man facing charges relating to shooting six people with a paintball gun including a young woman who suffered a serious eye injury is back in court on March 27. Shane Paraha, 18, faces five charges of assault with a weapon and a further charge of causing grievous bodily harm to an 18-year-old female and one of wounding with intent to injure. He was remanded on bail.
Meningitis case airlifted