Skinny-dippers and trampers rescued overnight

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From distressed skinny-dippers to a lost tramping party, Police got more than they bargained for with two overnight rescues.

At 1 am this morning, three teenagers decided to skinny dip at Tahunanui Beach. The teenagers stripped off and waded out on the sand bar near the blind channel at the Western end of Tahunanui Beach.

When the tide turned, only the male teenager was able to swim back to the beach, leaving the two young women stranded, with a rising tide.

Police, SAR and the Coast Guard responded.

Search coordinator Senior Constable David Cogger says that due to the urgency of the situation a shoreline search by a Police dog handler and a response staff member located the two young women.

Police officers entered the water and rescued them. They were then taken to hospital for observation and treatment.

“The western end of Tahunanui beach can be full of holes and deep water pockets and is not a safe place to go for a midnight swim. The Blind Channel in certain tides and wind conditions is a very dangerous place to be even in daylight,” says Senior Constable Cogger.

Meanwhile, four trampers had an unplanned and rough night in the bush after they strayed off the Boulder Lake Track near Takaka and became lost.

The group of four had five days food and a locator beacon and were heading into the park on day one of their tramp when they got lost.

“It took quite some considerable time to actually work out where they were and it took two attempts to direct them back to the track,” says Senior Constable Cogger.

“Department of Conservation and Land SAR Golden Bay assisted Police to direct the group back to the track.”

“Modern technology is a great aid to those venturing into the outdoors. However, a good current map and compass are still an essential part of every party’s gear list. GPS’s and smart phones need to be calibrated on the correct mapping datum and the user must be familiar with its functions.”

The group was finally directed back on track before 8 am today.