Two dead in NZ kayaking accident

Two people have died and nine others had to be rescued after a kayaking accident in New Zealand.

Two overseas tourists have died in a kayaking accident in New Zealand, while nine others have been treated for hypothermia.

The group of 11 paddled out onto Lake Tekapo on Friday in hired kayaks when they got into difficulty after a strong easterly wind picked up.

All of the group were left "floundering" in the water.

"Some of them made it to an unoccupied island. Smoke was seen from the island that may have raised the alarm," police say.

Local search and rescue, voluntary firemen and a helicopter rushed to the lake to rescue the group.

Nine people were saved while two bodies were also pulled from the water.

All of the survivors suffered hypothermia and some were taken to hospital.


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Source: AAP


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