Car wash brings perilous rescue

The young owner of this 4WD went into the river to clean it. Photo / Herald on Sunday

An Air Force recruit's plan to clean his vehicle in a dangerously swollen Rangitikei River led to a major rescue on Friday.

Rescue authorities have criticised the 19-year-old from Ohakea airbase, who had to climb on to the roof of the submerged Toyota Hilux with his passenger, a 24-year-old female Air Force recruit.

Palmerston North Search and Rescue Co-ordinator Andy Brooke said the driver made a "bad call" when he decided to drive into the river.

"Youth with toys will always push the boundaries. Trying to drive through the river wasn't an intelligent thing to be doing with the current moving so quickly," he said.

The Toyota Hilux stalled, was caught by fast moving water, swept downstream and into the middle of the 100m-wide river.

As the vehicle sank they climbed on to the roof, from where they were plucked two hours later by rescuers.

During one attempt to reach them, a rescuer fell from an inflatable boat into the treacherous water.

The pair were spotted by a member of the public about 5.20pm. The driver also called emergency services from a cellphone.

Brooke said darkness and treacherous conditions made the rescue difficult. "That amount of water moving at that height and speed could have taken them away very easily," Brooke said.

The Swift Water Rescue Team took three attempts to reach the stranded pair. "They couldn't paddle upstream because the current was too strong. They had to jump in from further up and go with the water.

"The first time, they grabbed on to the wing mirror but it broke off and they were swept downstream. The second time they managed to beach themselves against the front of the vehicle, but the water surged up underneath and one of the guys fell into the river," said Brooke.

On the third attempt the rescue team attached the inflatable to the side of the car, throwing helmets and life vests to the stranded pair.

They were plucked off the vehicle about 7.15pm. Brooke said they were "dry, unharmed and not too fazed". Thirty people took part in the rescue.

A high-axle Unimog was being considered as a last resort to reach the pair. Other options on hand were jet skis and specially trained swimmers.

The duty officer at Ohakea base said he was unaware of the incident and would not comment.