Raft group found safe
PA Wellington A party of rafters was stranded on the banks of the Motu River after two of their three rafts were swept away in rising waters early yesterday morning. The police sent a helicopter to look for the 35-mem-ber party when the two empty rafts were seen floating out to sea at the mouth of the Motu River, near Opotiki. The rafters were found _ safe and well over a 50km ’ stretch of the river's lower reaches later in the morning, said Constable R. Joblin. of the Opotiki police. The mishap occurred after the rafters set up camp on Saturday night. The river rose after 4 a.m.. sweeping the two rafts from their
moorings, said Constable Joblin. The two raft companies involved were negotiating with a private company for a price to fly them out by helicopter, he said. The rafters were in no danger and their recovery was the responsibility of the companies involved, not the Government, he said. The rafters apparently left for their trip up the river on Friday and were equipped for three nights, said Constable Joblin. He thought some of the party would be able to return by raft or jet boat, but the rest would have to be flown out. The weather in the 'area was good yesterday, but the forecast was for it to deteriorate.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19821213.2.43
Bibliographic details
Press, 13 December 1982, Page 6
Word Count
226Raft group found safe Press, 13 December 1982, Page 6
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.