River rescues prompt water safety warning

Police are highlighting the importance of water safety after multiple rescues in the Waikato River in recent days. They included four people whose raft capsized, a man seen floating down the river towards Huntly, a man stuck in a tree hanging over the river and a teenager who was found holding on to a tree after getting into trouble in the water. The 16-year-old was taken to hospital pale and vomiting. Police said the warmer weather and easing of alert levels was attracting more people to the river, which had fast flowing and changeable currents.