A Life Flight Trust team rescued four teenagers from the Otaki River this evening.

Friday 10pm

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was requested to search for the missing teens on the Otaki River, above the Otaki Forks area. The teens were on a two day tramping and tubing trip and were reported to be in trouble by the fifth member of the group who was able to tube out and raise the alarm.

The rescue helicopter, with a pilot, two rescue crew and a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic arrived in the search area just after 7pm.

Three of the missing men were spotted on the river bank approximately 2.5km from the Otaki Forks picnic area.

"Mike, our pilot was able to maneuver the helicopter close to the river bank, allowing our paramedic to jump onto the rocks of the riverbed" says Julian Burn, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Crewman. "The paramedic assisted the three onto the helicopter and they were flown to the picnic area at Otaki Forks where friends, family and SAR personnel were waiting".

The helicopter then returned to the Otaki River and the crew spotted the fourth man about 2km further up the river. He was assisted into the helicopter and flown to meet his mates and family.

"The last teen rescued was suffering from hypothermia and suffering from low blood sugar so was flown to Wellington Hospital for treatment" says Burn. "His relieved mum, who arrived at the picnic area shortly after the helicopter landed, accompanied him to hospital".

The 18 year old Paraparaumu man was initially in a serious condition but his condition improved enroute to hospital. He is being treated and assessed at the Wellington Hospital Emergency Department.

We believe the other three men are 18 and 19 years old also from the Kapiti Area.

The Life Flight Trust is a charity providing air rescue and air ambulance services. It operates the Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a national air ambulance service. It relies on support from the public and sponsorship from partners such as Westpac to provide these services. Further information can be obtained from www.lifeflight.org.nz

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