Stranded 4WD Group On Near Piano Flat/Waikaia Bush Road – UPDATE Includes Photo’s

Southern District Police are continuing the operation to retrieve the group trapped on an off-road track at Waikaia Bush Road.

The area where they are is remote and exposed to weather conditions.

Photo: whatsoninvers.nz

Police are making every effort to reach the group however severe weather is hampering those efforts.

Police are still in contact with the group.

While they are not in any immediate danger, they are looking forward to returning home.

The group were in the area on a four wheel drive trip consisting of 13 vehicles.

Photo: whatsoninvers.nz

There is a small number of children in the group and Police can confirm the group are not tourists.

Police are continuing to monitor the situation with Search and Rescue teams in the area ready to be deployed when the weather permits.

——Update ends——-

Central Otago Police and Search and Rescue volunteers are responding to a group of 34 people who are stuck on the Waikaia Bush Road above PIano Flat as a result of inclement weather and vehicle break downs.

Police and the National Rescue Coordination Centre were notified by two separate parties after they became stuck and were unable to proceed whilst out on a four-wheel-drive trip in the area late this afternoon.

A land based effort is being coordinated after extremely poor weather has negated the ability to utilise helicopter options in the recovery.

The group is reported as having warm clothes, food and shelter within their vehicles, however the welfare of several young children with the group have raised concerns for police.

Police remind people looking to undertake back country adventure trips to enusre they check the weather forecast prior to going out.

A simple check for weather warnings can be done through the Metservice website.