Major rescue to save 80 school kids off coast near Dunedin

DEVELOPING SITUATION: A major rescue has taken place this afternoon after over 80 school students were caught in a rip off popular Goat Island near Dunedin.

The students were all year nine students from Columba College.

The students were taken 50 metres offshore at around 2pm.

A group of three surfers were nearby and managed to get 18 back to the shore. Three IRB lifeboats from Warrington Surf Club were also used in the rescue.

St John sent two ambulances and a helicopter to the scene and assessed 12 patients. Four were taken to hospital by helicopter.

One teenage girl is in critical condition in hospital

Three others were also flown to hospital. The teenagers were suffering from water inhalation and hypothermia.

The students were on a school trip when the incident occurred.