Great Barrier Island sand dune collapses, two boys critically hurt

Great Barrier Island. Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
Great Barrier Island. Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
Two young boys are in critical condition after being trapped under a collapsed sand dune on Great Barrier Island.

Westpac Helicopters transported the pair to Starship Hospital at around 4:30pm.

An afternoon on the beach turned to disaster when a dune collapsed and buried them.

A rescue helicopter spokesperson said one boy is in his teens, and the other is younger.

"Our thoughts are with them and their families," he said.

The New Zealand Herald reported that Chairperson of the Greater Barrier Local Board Izzy Fordham said it was a "horrid time."