Flooding traps travellers, closes SH6

Emergency responders rescued six people trapped by flooding near Canvastown on Friday night, and SH6 remained closed on Saturday morning.

According to NZ Police, the travellers' vehicles got stuck in high water. Emergency services got the call around 8:35pm.

"Police Search and Rescue immediately deployed," the morning update said, "along with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the New Zealand Defence Force, and Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, and six people were retrieved from vehicles."

Police closed SH6 between Pelorus and Havelock; it remained closed in the morning and will continue to be "while floodwater levels remain high. Motorists are asked to avoid the area, and delay travel if possible."