Six people rescued from Kaitoke Gorge

File photo / NZ Herald

Six members of a group reported missing in the Kaitoke Gorge in Upper Hutt were rescued by helicopter this afternoon.

A Life Flight team said the group were picked up after the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were notified of their location this morning.

The six people were part of a nine-member group, who had entered the gorge yesterday afternoon. Three of the group had managed to make their way out on foot.

"The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was in the process of transporting a medical patient from Paraparaumu when notified of the missing group. After transporting the patient to hospital and refuelling, the helicopter with a Wellington Free Ambulance Paramedic and a Police SAR staff member headed to the search area just north of Twin Lakes in Upper Hutt," Life Flight said in a statement.

Life Flight crewman Dave Greenberg said the six people were located a few kilometres up the river, following a short search.

"Due to the windy conditions in the gorge we dropped off the paramedic and policeman before returning to the river and rescuing the stranded people two at a time".

The helicopter made three trips to the group, picking up two people at a time.

"Our pilot Dean did an amazing job hovering just above the riverbank so we can get the people into the helicopter" Mr Greenberg said.

"It was very windy down there and the gorge was quite narrow so there was not a lot of room for him to manoeuvre".

The six people were tired and cold, but otherwise okay, he said

They were checked over by Wellington Free Ambulance staff.