A woman and young son have survived a harrowing ordeal after their vehicle went into the West Coast's Arahura River, north of Hokitika, overnight. The woman's ordeal, which ended when she was found on a beach several hours later, was much longer. "We were also greatly assisted by the new Garden City Helicopter which had a search member on board with thermal imaging equipment." The 41-year-old woman was found about 7.30am on a beach 7km north of the Arahura River, Kirwood said. "It was established she had gone down the river and into the ocean before being washed ashore north of the river mouth.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 13, 2019 23:03 UTC