Over 117 motorists were trapped overnight between two land slips in New Zealand’s South Island on Thursday, after several trees came down on a bridge.
Australian tourist Aurora Oncken and her friends were travelling south to Fox Glacier from Franz Josef Glacier about 10am on Thursday.
Ms Oncken said her travelling group survived on banana sandwiches after being forced to wait on the blocked bridge overnight.
Over 117 motorists were trapped overnight between two land slips in New Zealand’s South Island on Thursday, after several trees came down on a bridge (pictured)
Australian tourist Aurora Oncken and her friends were travelling on State Highway 6 when they became trapped, surviving the night on banana sandwiches
New Zealand has been buffeted by Tropical Cyclone Fehi with a state of emergency declared in Dunedin and the Buller District. Nelson, Mapua, Richmond, Westport and Waitara were evacuated on Thursday evening.
The tourists were told it was better to head out to Fox Glacier than stay put, Stuff.co.nz reports.
The group were travelling on State Highway 6 near when a tree came down over powerlines ahead of them, as they were just 1km from their destination.
In front of them, a road works truck had stopped and advised Ms Oncken to turn back.
New Zealand has been buffeted by Tropical Cyclone Fehi with a state of emergency declared in Dunedin and the Buller District
After driving halfway back the way they came, yet another tree blocked their path.
‘A few hours came and went and about 50 other cars soon turned up,’ Ms Oncken said.
‘When we were told it would be overnight it was pretty bleak. We just settled in.’
At around 10am on Friday, a helicopter arrived to do a ‘medical evacuation’ but failed to bring supplies for those stranded.
The frightening ordeal came just days after a 50-metre section of the Pyramid Bridge near Riversdale collapsed (pictured)
‘It was just obvious they didn’t know the numbers. That was a bit scary because if we’d been there any longer, it would have got a bit wild,’ Ms Oncken said.
While all motorists were rescued by Friday afternoon, Ms Oncken said there was poor communication between those trapped and the ‘outside world’.
The frightening ordeal came just days after a 50-metre section of the Pyramid Bridge near Riversdale collapsed.
‘There had been a build up of debris at the bridge today, due to the high water flow following yesterday’s heavy rainfall,’ explained the Gore District Council as they urged people to steer clear of the waterway.
The violent weather is expected to settle over the weekend.