Person critical after Waitaki River mouth rescue

A person is in a critical condition after being pulled from the water following a search at the Waitaki River mouth this morning.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, near Glenavy north of Oamaru, around 8.30 after reports of someone in trouble in the water.

Around 9.45am police said a person had been rescued. It was later confirmed that the person had been pulled from the water by a helicopter crew.

A St John spokesperson said the person had been taken to Dunedin Hospital in a critical condition. 

An Otago Daily Times reporter at the scene earlier said two helicopters were being used for an aerial search, and a shoreline search was also being carried out.

The incident comes after a whitebaiter had a lucky escape in the same area when he  was swept out to sea about three weeks ago.

The man was wearing a lifejacket, and made it back to shore by himself.