Eleven hospitalised after beach rip

Eleven students were hospitalised after they were caught in a rip while swimming at a beach in southern Hawke's Bay.

Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter service spokeswoman Louise Harvey said staff were alerted about noon to the incident at Pourere Beach, about 50km southeast of Napier.

Two students were airlifted to Hawke's Bay Hospital, with the others taken by ambulance. All are now in a stable condition, and most apart from those who needed airlifting are likely to be discharged this afternoon, Hawke's Bay district health board spokeswoman Anna Kirk said.

It was unclear how the students got out of the water, though some are believed to have made it out by themselves.

All the students were believed to be from Central Hawke's Bay College in Waipukurau.

- NZPA