25 Sep 2016

Children trapped in car by Coromandel flooding

6:11 pm on 25 September 2016

Three young children had to be towed to safety after the car they were in became surrounded by rising flood waters in the Coromandel.

The Fire Service said emergency services were on the scene on the flood-prone Hikuai Settlement Road, near Tairua River.

Flooding in Hikuai.

Heavy rain in flooded Hikuai in July, too. Photo: Facebook / Thames-Coromandel District Council / Jared Stein

The children were aged nine, 10 and 11, fire communications shift manager Jarron Phillips said.

The vehicle became stuck in flood waters from a rising stream and the water rose around them, Mr Phillips said.

However, they had been towed to safety and all three children were now safe.

It was unclear whether any adults were with the children.

The MetService said 120 millimetres of rain has already fallen in Coromandel, with another 100mm possible.

The Coromandel town of Pauanui is cut off with heavy rain causing flooding and slips across much of the peninsula.

Hikuai Settlement Road, which is the only road into the town, has been closed.