Aussie woman plunges into a boiling ‘geothermal sinkhole’ in New Zealand

An Aussie woman was seriously injured after plunging into a geothermal sinkhole in New Zealand.

The Perth woman, described as elderly, fell after the group opened up beneath her near a tourist attraction in Rotorua, on the North Island, on Thursday.

She was helped out of the hole by her husband, who was also injured.

A St John ambulance spokeswoman says the woman has been taken to hospital in a critical condition.

The group opened up beneath the woman near a tourist attraction in Rotorua, on the North Island, on Thursday

‘Two ambulances and one rapid response unit attended the scene. St John treated then transported one patient in a critical condition and one in a moderate condition to Rotorua Hospital.’

Village spokesperson Mike Gibbons said the couple were walking along a footpath near the entrance to the village when hey fell. 

He told 9News the village would be temporarily closed to visitors until a ‘full investigation and assessment had been undertaken by the appropriate authorities, including WorkSafe and the Rotorua Lakes Council’. 

‘The area surrounding the fumarole, which is estimated to be 2m long x 1m wide and up to 1m deep…has been closed off to the public, pending the WorkSafe assessment. 

‘It appears the ground may have been compromised following the recent heavy rainfall.’