Manawatu Area Commander, Inspector Sarah Stewart, this afternoon praised those involved in saving the lives of a man and woman hurt when the truck they were in plunged 50m into the Manawatu Gorge.
The truck was partially submerged following the crash late this morning, but the two occupants, both in their 40s, survived and are in stable conditions in Palmerston North Hospital.
That was thanks to a co-ordinated expert response from emergency services, Insp Stewart said.
"Our officers along with all the emergency services at the scene put their lives at risk today to rescue the man and woman who were in the truck.
''The flying from the pilot of the Philips Trust Helicopter was incredible and the co-ordinated response from the Palmerston North City Council rescue team, along with fire, ambulance and police services was life-saving."
Senior Constable Ross Andrew and Constable Simon Ashton, both of Palmerston North, were first on the scene and went to the aid of the two people in the truck, she said.
"The female passenger was rescued from the cab first followed by the driver. The officers stayed with the driver in the water for approximately one hour keeping his head above water until the rescue helicopter arrived."
The rescue also involved a paramedic being winched down from the helicopter to the crash site for the driver and passenger.
Once the injured pair were safe, one of the police officers was winched out while the other was able to climb out of the gorge with the help of ropes and other staff, Stewart said.
Both officers received hospital treatment for hypothermia before being released this evening, she said.
She was "incredibly proud" of both men.
"They are heroes. They went above and beyond the call of duty and put their lives at risk to save the life of the truck driver and his passenger."
