Auckland floods: Second man found dead in Wairau Valley
Saturday, 28 January 2023
Two men have been found dead in separate incidents in Wairau Valley on Auckland’s North Shore after Friday’s “extreme” flood event.
On Friday evening, police responded to a call at about 7.30pm near Target Rd, where a man had been found dead in a flooded culvert.
About 12.30am, police were called to a flooded car park on Link Drive, after a report of another man found dead.
Inquiries into the circumstances of both deaths are ongoing.
**READ MORE:
* Auckland flooding: Where to get help, Civil Defence Centres set up
* Auckland weather: City braces for more rain as areas remain underwater
* Auckland airport still shut, no flights until at least noon, 200 kept on plane overnight
* Police investigating after body found in Wairau Valley, Auckland
**
North Shore residents are being urged to avoid floodwaters following a “heartbreaking” death at the height of Friday’s storm.
“It was one of the heaviest-hit flooded areas on the Shore,” says North Shore councillor Richard Hills.
“Shops and supermarkets and the evacuation centre behind the stadium were all underwater. It was significantly deep at the height of it.”
Speaking before news of the second death was made public, Hills said news of the man’s death in the culvert was “devastating”.
“I just give my thoughts to the person’s whānau and friends right now.”
Hills urged residents to avoid floodwaters.
“We just ask everything to be safe, and be careful. Stay away from bodies of water, as it’s a moving situation and can be dangerous.”
Minister of emergency management Kieran McAnulty told RNZ said information was still being gathered regarding the death.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”
Formal identification of the body has not yet taken place.
A report was received at about 10.15pm that a man had been swept away by floodwaters in Onewhero, south of Auckland.
A search and rescue team search for the missing man on Saturday.
Meanwhile, police and other emergency services responded to a call where a landslide had brought down a house on Shore Rd in Remuera – one person remains unaccounted for.