Member of public helps resue pair from stream after single-vehicle crash in Brunswick, Whanganui

A member of the public with a rowboat played a crucial part in the rescue of two people after a car ended up in a stream in Brunswick, Whanganui.

Police, Fire & Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) and Hato Hone St John responded to the crash on remote Kauarapaoa Rd around 10am on Tuesday.

Police said two people, who were in the car when it landed in the Kauarapaoa Stream, were on top of the submerged vehicle awaiting rescue when emergency services arrived.

Fenz Whanganui station officer Shane Dudley said two fire engines and a volunteer support vehicle attended the incident.

Fire crews were called to the stream to assist in rescuing the pair from the stricken car, but he said they weren’t needed thanks to a member of the public with a dinghy, who offered to assist in taking the pair to shore.

“They basically got on to a rowboat and went upstream and walked out,” Dudley said.

Fire personnel then assisted the pair by giving them warm drinks and blankets.

Hato Hone St John responded with one ambulance and a helicopter, but the vehicle occupants did not need to be treated or taken to hospital.