Man rescued after getting stuck during walk in Pine Harbour

It’s been a week of rescues for the police crew in the sky, who have helped a number of people caught up in scary situations across Auckland.

Last night, October 12, police were called after an international visitor went for a stroll from Pine Harbour in Beachlands to Motukaraka Island but got caught out by the incoming tide.

Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen of the Auckland Marine Rescue Centre says officers located the man’s vehicle in the car park on the mainland, and the police’s Eagle helicopter conducted area search around the island.

“The crew quickly advised they had found a man lying down on the top of a concrete structure.

“They were able to provide reassurance to him that help was on the way and organised for Deodar to pick him up.”

And just before midday last Friday, a pilot flying his small plane noticed a kayaker had fallen out and was struggling to get back in at Mahurangi Inlet.

Due to minimal information or an exact location, the Police Air Support Unit was also deployed.

Sergeant Mark Jamieson, Air Support Unit Supervisor, says the Eagle headed to the area and quickly located a man clinging to his kayak.

“The crew observed a fishing boat nearby, so flew low and close, signalling them to follow us.

“They retrieved the male from the water, with him reporting he had been like that for over an hour.

“The boat then transported the man to shore, where an ambulance was waiting to treat the man for hypothermia.”

On Wednesday last week, the crew were called in again to assist after it was reported two teenagers were stuck on a cliffside in Whangaparaoa Bay.

Jamieson says the Eagle arrived on scene and quickly located two people 20 metres from the top of the cliff and around 50m from the beach below.

“The pair were perched on the side but informed dispatch that they were holding on to trees to stay put as the rocks underneath them fell away.

“The crew directed Fire and Emergency NZ and police staff to the location with Search and Rescue en route,” he says.

“With the assistance of SAR and FENZ, the duo were able to rappel down to the beach below.

“We’re thankful for these results, but we must stress these were incredibly lucky situations with positive endings, and that’s not always the case.”

Anyone who gets into trouble is reminded to call 111 as soon as possible, as that will enable an emergency response at the earliest opportunity.