A group of boaties on the West Coast have been airlifted to safety after their boat crashed into a bridge on the Taramakau River - between Greymouth and Hokitika.
Emergency Services say they were called out shortly before 2pm today.
A spokesperson says the boaties managed to get to an island in the river where they were picked up by the rescue helicopter, before being dropped back to shore.
He says they received minor injuries and are being treated by St John at the scene.