Two boys playing near a river in the Waikato township of Kawerau have died after a bank collapsed, trapping them below, police say.
A group of children had been fishing and playing on the northern side of the Tarawera River near Boyce Park when the incident occurred around 11.30am, Inspector Phil Gillbanks said in an update this evening.
Two police officers swam across the river after arriving at the scene and “attempted to locate and dig for the boys with their bare hands”, Gillbanks said.
“They were soon joined by volunteer fire brigade staff who roped down the cliff area with equipment.
“Tragically, the two local Kawerau boys – aged 10 and 12 – were located deceased.”
Two children dead after becoming stuck under a river bank in Bay of Plenty – Watch on TVNZ+
Surf Lifesaving New Zealand lifeguards in an IRB assisted emergency services to bring the boys and rescue personnel back across the river, where they were met by grieving whānau.
Hato Hone St John confirmed officers also assessed three people in a minor condition at the scene.
An ambulance, a First Response Unit, two operations managers, a rapid response unit were scrambled to the scene near Manukorihi Dr. A helicopter was also sent.
Manukorihi Dr is on the north-eastern edge of Kawerau, in an industrial precinct separated from the township by the Tarawera River.
Gillbanks said he was “extremely proud of the two police staff and the local volunteer fire brigade staff who did everything they could to locate the victims in perilous circumstances”.
“This was extremely tragic and sad, and we feel for the families.
We have returned the bodies of victims to their whānau.”
Local kaumātua have performed karakia and placed a rahui on the Tarawera River following the deaths.
The deaths have been referred to the coroner.
In a post to Facebook, Kawerau District Council said: “An incident occurred today in our community.”
“We understand the New Zealand Police, Fire Emergency New Zealand and St John are at the scene.
“We ask that Kawerau allow these emergency services to do their mahi.”
The council added the community will be updated “in due course”.
A nearby business told 1News people had gathered at Boyce Park.
‘Every parent’s worst nightmare’
A large crowd gathered at the scene in the moments after the news broke that two people were missing, where they remained throughout the day.
Residents who spoke to 1News said they were “heartbroken and devastated” by today’s events. They said the river was a popular spot, particularly during the school holidays.
In a statement, Kawerau mayor Faylene Tunui said it was “with a heavy heart I acknowledge the tragic passing of two young people in our community today”.
Tunui extended her “deepest sympathies to both families and loved ones”, adding that it was “every parent’s worst nightmare”.