Alcohol and rivers don't mix after 16-year-old drifts down Whanganui River

A 16-year-old Taumarunui woman is lucky not to have drowned after she had been swimming in the Whanganui River yesterday (30 January, 2013) after consuming alcohol.

Police were called to Cherry Grove at the Whanganui River around 6pm after receiving a complaint about the behaviour from a group of intoxicated people.

The woman was part of the group which included some of her family members. Officers seized alcohol from the group and asked them to move on which they agreed to.

Detective Sergeant Scott Ivimey says: "After speaking with the group it appears that while they were in the process of moving on the young woman was straggling behind them and they lost sight of her."

"The intoxicated woman has been swimming and drifted down the river. Thankfully she has managed to get out and up onto the riverbank where she was found by a member of the public."

The Taumarunui Fire Service who was training in the area attended to the woman and called an ambulance.

The woman sustained minor injuries from climbing up the riverbank and was airlifted to Waikato Hospital. She has now been released from hospital.

"Alcohol and water activities are not a good mix; people should drink responsibly and take care in, and around the water.

"It is a timely reminder that those under age shouldn't be consuming alcohol unsupervised. Remember to drink sensibly and look out for your family and friends. Don't turn a good day out into a disaster," said Detective Sergeant Ivimey.