Two bodies have been found in the search for three missing people swept away by flood water in New Zealand.
The trio were part of a group attempting to cross a river near the Cascade Falls in Waitakere, an hour west of Auckland, on Saturday afternoon.
Police said they had found two bodies and a third person was rescued and taken to hospital after a deluge hit the North Island and caused major flooding in the area.
Three people are missing after attempting to cross a river near the Cascade Falls in Waitakere (pictured is nearby Karekare Falls in the Waitakere range), an hour west of Auckland, on Saturday afternoon
Police and other emergency services including two rescue helicopters have been involved in the search.
They were called at 5.15pm to reports that a group had got into trouble while crossing the river and had been swept away by the torrents.
One person who was in the group is being treated for minor injuries but managed to make it to safety himself.
Another person rescued from the area after being swept away was taken to hospital in a ‘moderate condition’, police said.
He was taken to Waitakere Golf Club and was said to be ‘pretty roughed up’ and ‘hypothermic’, 1News New Zealand reported.
A fifth person who was part of the group was unharmed.
The search and rescue helicopter is aiding the search with New Zealand Police (stock image)
A spokesman for New Zealand Police said: ‘Two bodies have been located in a river in Waitakere near where three people were earlier reported missing after being swept away in water near Cascades Falls.
‘Police understand there was a group of five people who were trying to cross the river when they got into trouble.
‘One person has been rescued and has been transported to Waitakere Hospital in a moderate condition.
‘The other man who had earlier made it to safety was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.
‘The fifth person involved was uninjured.
‘Police are working to establish if the bodies located are part of this group.
‘At this stage this is all of the information available as reception in the area Police are working in is limited.’
The country has been battered by heavy rain and winds in recent days thanks to ex-tropical cyclone Fehi.
New Zealand Police said they are working alongside the Police Eagle Helicopter and Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The country has been battered by heavy rain and winds in recent days thanks to ex-tropical cyclone Fehi (pictured)
A police spokesman said: ‘Emergency services are responding to reports of three people missing in a river near Cascades Falls, Waitakere.
‘Police received a report at 5:15pm that a group had got into trouble while crossing the river and had been swept away.
‘Emergency services are tending to one person who was in the group but made it to safety. He has minor injuries.
‘Further information will be released as it becomes available.’
Meanwhile, 100 people have been evacuated from their homes in nearby Piha.
Severe flooding has forced many people to flee their properties in the surrounding areas of Glenesk, Seaview and Beach Valley Roads.
They have been taken to safe areas at a nearby surf club and campgrounds.
Severe flooding has forced many people to flee their properties in the surrounding areas of Glenesk, Seaview and Beach Valley Roads
But flood waters are thought to be falling in the area and police are hopeful of returning people to their homes on Saturday evening.
Earlier, 20 people feared they had become cut off while walking through the bush during the afternoon.
Several groups of walkers banded together in a bid to try to get out safely.
A spokesman for New Zealand Police added: ‘They have since found a safe route back out of the bush and are currently walking out.’