Waikato River Rescue

Police are praising the actions of members of the public who raised the alarm after a father and son capsized and became trapped whilst kayaking down the Waikato River near Cambridge.

Police were called shortly after 3pm after members of the public riding along Maungatautari Road heard cries for help.

Waikato Shift Supervisor, Senior Sergeant Dave Litton, said members of the public heard these calls coming from the Waikato River quite a distance below the road.

"These people have done everything right, stopping to investigate and try to offer help, before calling Police. Because of their location, it was impossible for the members of the public to get near to the victims"

Police arrived shortly afterwards and found the father and son on the Waikato river shore line north of Cambridge in an inaccessible location.

The Waikato River Harbour master was called from Hamilton to assist and rescued both men along with their Canadian kayak.

The men were wearing life jackets and although cold and wet they were uninjured.

Mr Litton wished to pass on the thanks of the victims and the police to the members of the public who stopped to help, ensuring the kyakers were bought to safety.

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