Man swept down river

Christchurch: A man who was swept 100m down the Rakaia River yesterday managed to climb a bank and activate his emergency beacon before being airlifted to safety.

The Canterbury Air Rescue Helicopter attended the incident about noon.

A spokesman said the man was with a group of people all walking the Te AraroaTtrail, a 3000km route from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

As they attempted to cross the river, the man was swept away. — The New Zealand Herald