Source: Radio New Zealand
People are brought ashore after their ordeal. Supplied / NZ police
Several people have been rescued from Waikato River while clinging onto a tree on Wednesday evening.
Police were alerted at 7.20pm that four men had entered the water to float from the control gates down to Hipapatua Reserve.
With only basic inflatables and no life jackets, the group lost buoyancy and called for help.
A nearby tour group jumped into the river to assist the men, but also had no flotation devices.
When police had arrived, all seven were in distress and, and contacted the coastguard and harbourmaster.
Supplied / NZ police
They were able to rescue them using a jetboat and a jetski by 8pm.
Senior Constable of Taupō Police Barry Shepherd said the incident could have had a far more serious outcome.
“We want people to have fun and enjoy the outdoors but there’s a safe way to do it.
“While its admirable that people tried to help, we don’t want any dead heroes.”
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand