"Men rescued from swollen river near Nelson"

Please attribute to Senior Sergeant John Price

Two men were rescued from a flooded river overnight.

Police were called at 11.26pm yesterday and were told a 4x4 vehicle had got into difficulty in the Waimea River.

It was reported that two men were on the roof of their vehicle – a Nissan Safari.

The location was between O’Connor Rd and River Rd, Appleby.

There had been heavy rain in the area earlier in the day.

Police organised for a swift water rescue team to reach the pair, aged 27 and 29.

They were declared safe at 12.45am.

They were taken to hospital with the early effects of hypothermia.

The vehicle eventually sank.

It has since been seen and has been reported to Tasman District Council.

While we are pleased these men are safe, we warn people not to enter swollen waterways and flooded rivers.

Not only do people put themselves in jeopardy, they put rescue teams in danger.

Police would like to thank everyone involved in this rescue and we appreciate the support from others who were put on standby to assist.

ENDS

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