Three men have been rescued after being reported missing while rafting on the Waikaia River. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Three men have been rescued after being reported missing overnight while rafting on the Waikaia River near Piano Flat.
Police were alerted at around 9.30pm yesterday that the men did not reach their designated pick-up point after a planned trip on the river.
Police search and rescue teams began their hunt at first light this morning.
At about 11.30am, one of the men was sighted by the helicopter near the river's edge with a leg injury.
The other two men were located nearby a short time later, cold but otherwise uninjured.
The trio were winched from the river to safety by the helicopter and were medically assessed.
The man with the leg injury was transported to hospital by ambulance, police said.
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