Advertisement
New Zealand
AsiaAustralasia

Body of New Zealand student found in cave after flash flood hits school trip

  • The death has raised questions about why school officials chose to go ahead with the trip even after forecasters warned of heavy rain approaching
  • A state of emergency was still in place in parts of New Zealand on Wednesday amid widespread flooding, landslides, fallen trees and trapped cars

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
A sign is seen for Abbey Caves near the northern New Zealand city of Whangarei, where the student’s body was found following a flash flood. Photo: Northern Advocate via AP
Associated Press
New Zealand police said they have found the body of a high school student in a cave after a school group got into trouble when floodwaters hit.
Advertisement

A group of 15 students and two adults had set out on Tuesday morning on a trip to the Abbey Caves in Whangārei as part of an outdoor education class, authorities said. The others made it out safely.

The death has raised questions about why school officials chose to go ahead with the trip even after forecasters had warned that heavy rain was approaching.

The district council website cautions people to “check weather forecast as caves can be prone to flash flooding”. The site says the cave system features dramatic limestone outcrops, sink holes and three significant caves.

Cars plough through water in the flooded streets of central Auckland on Tuesday. Photo: New Zealand Herald via AP
Cars plough through water in the flooded streets of central Auckland on Tuesday. Photo: New Zealand Herald via AP

“We acknowledge this event has been very distressing for the school and wider community, and that there are a number of questions the public will have,” Police Superintendent Tony Hill said in a statement. “At the moment, police’s focus is on supporting those affected.”

Advertisement

Hill said the body was recovered late on Tuesday.

Advertisement