Local cops in chilling 'rescue' + video

SAVING SPLASH: Wanganui Police Constable Keith Butters makes for a life ring dropped by the Ravensdown Wanganui helicopter as part of a rescue exercise. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 171015WCSMOPEN6.JPG

It wasn't the real deal, but a simulated rescue mission on the Whanganui River on Saturday attracted plenty of spectators.

The exercise, involving an air drop of life rings from a helicopter and the Wanganui Coastguard rescue boat Energy Direct Rescue, was watched by at least 150 people standing on the riverside boardwalk.

It was one of the activities run by Wanganui Police staff as part of police open days held around the country this weekend. Staff decided on a Saturday because more people would be near the riverside.

Sergeant Colin Wright, who heads the local search and rescue operations, said it had been "a superb" open day.

"It went extremely well, and we attracted huge numbers."

He said public interest in police activities was always high, and there was a lot of interest in armed offenders squad weapons, the police dogs, police youth service teams, the neighbourhood policing team and other agencies that work with police, including search and rescue personnel and Coastguard.

"We have to thank particularly the Coastguard people, who gave their time to be part of the demonstrations on the river, and Dean Lithgow of Ravensdown Wanganui who gave his time and the use of his helicopter free," he said.

The Whanganui River "rescue" involved the chopper dropping life rings to two people in the water - Constables Keith Butters and Keith Thomson, who braved the cold water to add some realism to the exercise. After they were spotted by Mr Lithgow, the Coastguard rescue boat arrived and plucked the two men to "safety".

"We had about 150 people or maybe more lining the boardwalk from the iSite to the Waimarie during the exercise," Mr Wright said.