An investigation is underway following a school trip from Ōpōtiki College that proceeded to a backcountry hut despite a weather warning, leading to a helicopter evacuation due to compromised walking tracks from heavy rain. The Year 12 group, consisting of 11 students, a teacher, and an adult helper, was based at the six-bunk Pakihi Hut in the Urutawa Conservation Area, which offers camping space and is situated along the Pakihi Track. The severe weather caused flooding, road closures, and prompted rescues in the eastern Bay of Plenty region.
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Triple-fatal Waiuku crash: Neighbour dreads watching another family grieve
A resident near the site of a fatal crash in Waiuku expressed her dread of witnessing another family's grief, recalling a similar incident from two years prior. Emergency services responded to the scene where a vehicle left the road and ended up in a creek, resulting in the deaths of Frances (Sesi) Latu-Vailea, her daughter Oneahi Vailea, and niece Marly Tulua. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: A lady living near a road where...
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