Stranded students ferried across rising West Coast river

A West Coast search and rescue team using a helicopter has uplifted a group of students stranded by high river levels at Fox River near Punakaiki.

Senior Constable Jos Sturkenboom, of the West Coast police search and rescue squad, said police were alerted about 2pm that the group of outdoor education students had become stranded.

A local helicopter located the group shortly after 2.30pm and ferried them across the Fox River to their bus.

Mr Sturkenboom said the students had done the right thing by not trying to cross the swollen river. They were grateful for the rescue and thanked the helicopter pilot.

- NZPA