West Auckland fishermen rescued from rocks at Cornwallis by helicopter crew

A rescue helicopter saved three fishermen trapped on rocks in West Auckland this afternoon.

At 1.10pm an Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was asked by police to help a boat off the coast of Cornwallis.

Strong winds meant the crew couldn’t safely hoist the three men out.

Instead, paramedics were winched into the water to try to provide better help.

Three fishermen were rescued by a helicopter crew after being trapped on rocks in Cornwallis.

The paramedics, who are rescue swimmers, were picked up by the Auckland Airport Crash Fire Boat so they could be taken closer to the rocks and have a better chance at saving the fishermen.

All of the fishermen were unharmed and handed to police while the rescue crew returned to their base.