Four cavers rescued after night in Harwood’s Hole

Four cavers were today rescued from Harwood's Hole on Takaka Hill near Nelson after being stranded in the complex cave system overnight.

The two men and two women entered the cave at 9am yesterday and failed to emerge at expected exit point Starlight Cave later that day, Nelson police Sergeant Mike Fitzsimons said in a statement.

The missing party - believed to be from the West Coast - was located by Nelson Search and Rescue at 1.30pm today in the cave system and finally left the cave at 3.30pm.

It was believed the cavers had a problem with route finding, Mr Fitzsimons said.

A number of rescues have taken place at the popular caving system over the past two years.

In March, Nelson Search and Rescue co-ordinator Sherp Tucker called for Harwood's Hole to be closed to the public after the rescue of an inexperienced caver who spent six hours perched on a ledge.

- NZPA