Great Barrier Island sand dune collapses, two boys critically hurt

Great Barrier Island. Photo / Getty Images

Two boys were critically hurt when a sand dune collapsed and buried them on Great Barrier Island.

The pair - one a teenager - were flown to Starship children’s hospital in critical condition from a beach on the island this afternoon, Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter said.

“Our thoughts are with the boys and their families,” a rescue helicopter spokesman said.

Chairperson of the Great Barrier Local Board Izzy Fordham was “very aware” of the incident and told the Herald it was a “horrid time”.

Great Barrier’s sand dunes extend across the eastern coast of the island, from Medlands to Whangapoua.

One Great Barrier Island resident said there were ocean-side sand dunes that were left exposed after the recent severe weather events, and locals were worried about them.