Watch: Five people, including preschoolers, winched to safety following failed river rescue
NZ Herald
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Save Five people, including twin 4-year-old girls, were winched to safety last night after their four-wheel-drive became stuck in the Waimakariri River.
David O'Connor, who was driving the Toyota Surf, told Newshub the dramatic rescue unfolded after he tried rescuing a friend.
Along with his partner, O'Connor ventured into the Canterbury
Plains river to help a mate who became stuck with his three children in their jet boat.
Soon after rescuing the stranded family, the Toyota 4WD cut out and got stuck about midway across the river.
"We all clambered on to the roof of this thing and tried to be as patient as we could," he told Newshub.