Surf Life Savers, police and the Coastguard responded to the call for help, calling in rescue helicopters to reach the people who had been swept out by the rip current. (File photo). Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
Four people have been plucked from the rocks and a rip in a helicopter rescue after they were pulled away from the beach by strong tides at Cape Farewell.
Police, Coastguard and Surf Life Saving New Zealand worked together on the rescue, after they were told four people were in trouble in the water, shortly before 11am on Monday.
The four had been swept out from Wharariki Beach by a rip, at the far north west tip of the South Island, Surf Live Saving NZ said in a statement.
"Initial reports were of two patients stranded on rocks, with a further two patients in the water," they said.
The rescuers called in both the Search and Rescue helicopter from Nelson Airport, and a HeliMed helicopter.
The HeliMed chopper was able to reach the scene first, and plucked all four people to safety, airlifting them to the beach.
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