‘Christmas miracle’: Boy rescued off rocks near Ōpōtiki after not returning from collecting shellfish

The rocks near Opapa Beach and Motu helicopter (inset)/ Photo / Motu Helicopters

A Bay of Plenty family have had a Christmas miracle when a 14-year-old boy was rescued from the rocks near Ōpōtiki after going out to collect shellfish and not returning.

Around 8pm yesterday police were informed of concerns about the whereabouts and safety of the boy.

His family had last seen him around 3pm as he went to collect shellfish off the rocks at Opape Beach.

“The tide was coming in and his family were concerned that daylight was running out and that he may have been swept from the rocks,” a police spokesperson said.

The rugged coastline near Opape Beach. Photo / Motu Helicopters

A Coastguard vessel was deployed from Ōpōtiki to search for the boy, while local helicopter company Motu Helicopters, with police onboard, helped check the area until the police’s Eagle helicopter was available.

“At about 9pm, Motu Helicopters located the boy clinging to the side of the rocks at Opape Beach,” a police spokesperson said.

“The pilot was able to manoeuvre the helicopter close to the steep rock face, allowing Constable Reuben Hennessy, of Bay of Plenty Police Search and Rescue, to get on to the rocks, then guide the boy down from the rock face into the helicopter.”

Motu Helicopters owner Stephen Woods, said it was good to have a positive outcome.

He said they faced pressure as it became darker but were able to find the boy as soon as they started searching the coastline.

“He was laying on a ledge just above the tide,” said Woods.

Woods said the youth was only wearing shorts and was sitting on rocks above the high tide surf and there was no way he could have made it to shore by himself.

“If the boy hadn’t been found, he would have had a wet and cold night and also been hammered by all the mosquitoes.”

Woods said fortunately it was only a two-minute ride down the road back to his loved ones.

He said it was great to see the police using local helicopter services for these types of rescue missions.

“There was enough room to get the chopper in, the Ōpōtiki coastguard boat was nearly on site but due to the swell and rocky coastline wouldn’t have been able to get to him so I opted to put the helicopter skid down on a little rocky outcrop just above the breakers.”

“The police officer climbed out to assist the boy down the rock face and into the chopper.”

The police spokesperson said the boy was taken back to his family and friends and was not hurt.

“It’s a Christmas miracle that we found the young boy. It could have been a tragedy. His family are very relieved he’s okay and back safely and so are we,” Hennessy said.

“I would like to take the chance to remind people when out fishing so close to rocks or engaging in water sports that they come prepared.

“It’s also important to take a mobile phone but keep it waterproof, such as in a plastic zip-locked bag. It’s also good to check the weather and tide conditions in advance of going out.”

Hennessy also said it was also important that people took lifejackets on the water with them and wore them.