Police said two people have died after reports of two people missing in the Tarawera River this morning.
Two people have died after a water-related incident in the Tarawera River near Boyce Park late this morning.
Emergency services were notified around 11:30 of two people who went missing after entering the Tarawera River near Boyce Park, Kawerau.
Acting Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander, Inspector Phil Gillbanks said the report concerned a party becoming stuck under a bank.
"Sadly, two people were located deceased a short time later."
The deaths will be referred to the Coroner.
Since 11:30am, Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Hato Hone St John were at Manukorihi Drive, Kawerau.
Hato Hone St John said one ambulance, a First Response Unit, an operations manager and a rapid response unit are on scene and a helicopter is enroute.
It said emergency ambulance crews assessed three people in a minor condition at the scene.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said crews from Kawerau and Edgecumbe are in attendance with a total of 16 fire fighters.
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