Four people were rescued from where they clung to a chilly bin off the Raglan coast this morning.
One of the people rescued has been airlifted to hospital in critical condition.
The three adults and one teenager were found after reports of a boat in distress reached Coastguard New Zealand at 11.21am.
The Coastguard said rescue vessel Gallagher Rescue and jetskis Rylock Rescue One and Two launched and were on the scene by 11.43am.
“Three adults and a teenager were found clinging to a floating chilly bin and were transported back to shore, where two received immediate medical attention from Hato Hone St John Ambulance crew.”
Police said four people were taken back to shore.
“Everyone is accounted for.”
Hato Hone St John sent two helicopters, an ambulance and a rapid response unit.
“Our crews have assessed and treated four patients total from this incident.”
One person was in a critical condition, one in a serious condition and two in a moderate condition.
All patients were transported to Waikato Hospital.
Last week, two fishermen were rescued in a seven-hour late-night mission near Whale Bay.
Coastguard Raglan president Wally Hawken said the men’s inflatable vessel became submerged by swells on Thursday night.
“The men were found stranded on rocks, cold and showing signs of hypothermia.”
By 12.04am, both men were safely airlifted back to Raglan and reunited with family.
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