New Zealand
1News

Police identify woman, 66, swept away by West Coast floodwaters

March 27, 2019
A former rail bridge on the Arahura River near Hokitika (file picture)

A former rail bridge on the Arahura River near Hokitika (file picture) (Source: 1 NEWS)

A woman died on the West Coast, north of Hokitika, after being swept away by floodwaters this morning.

Police have this afternoon named the woman as Gloria Reardon-Hirst, 66, of Arahura valley.

Police say she appears to have got out of her vehicle and tried to cross the road on foot.

Read more:  State of emergency still in place for West Coast as wild weather moves north

She was swept away by strong flowing surface flooding on Arahura Valley Rd.

1 NEWS reporter Sam Clarke was at the scene at Franz Josef.

Her body was found about 9.19am today. 

Police say her death will be referred to the coroner.

Wild weather has been battering the West Coast.

New ZealandWest Coast

SHARE ME

More Stories

An aerial overview of cells within the landfill site, with the western side of the site closest to Greymouth to the left of the picture. (SOURCE: Supplied to Local Democracy Reporting).

'Rotten egg' smell at Greymouth landfill identified

Neighbours have been raising concerns about a pungent smell, and two workers were reportedly overcome by gas.

4:26pm

Heavy equipment working at the Stockton Mine site in Buller, several years ago. The mine remains the largest producer of export coking coal and it is highly sought after internationally for steel making.

Easier coal consents a ‘massive’ economic boost for West Coast

Resources Minister Shane Jones says it's time for common sense to end a "cancel culture" around coal.

Wed, Apr 17

1:05

The former Prohibition Mine site at Waiuta cost the Department of Conservation $2.6 million to clean-up from 2016-18 of what had been assessed as the most toxic mine site in New Zealand and the second most arsenic-contaminated site in the world.

Unknown levels of contamination at 70% of West Coast sites

Tue, Apr 16

Gloriavale Christian School.

Gloriavale Christian School warned compliance plan 'not viable'

Sun, Apr 14

West Coast Regional Council staff and elected officials viewing a hole in the Wanganui River northern stop bank on 7 March 2023. Just 48 hours later a moderately flooded Wanganui River broke through and flooded two farms.

West Coast councillor calls climate change 'debatable'

Sat, Apr 13

A survey of a thousand people found a majority considered the community a cult and should be closed for the good of its members.

Gloriavale: Majority surveyed believe it is 'essentially a cult'

Fri, Apr 12

1:47

Popular

Latest

1
2
3
4
5
6

6:00am

'Beer with breakfast': How a teen's love affair with alcohol escalated

Rosie first started drinking when she was 14. [Composition Image by Nadine Christmas (source: 1News/istock)]

6:00am

My grandad told me not to learn te reo Māori – and who could blame him?

Writer Lauren Keenan and her grandad Dan Keenan. (Composition Image by Nadine Christmas. Photos: supplied)

6:00am

Why friendship breakups can feel as bad as falling out of love

A bond with a friend can be stronger than any other bond.

6:00am

Kupu Quiz: What is the Māori word for sky?

Kupu Quiz: What is the Māori word for sky?

9:31pm

The places where you're most likely to pass your driving test

Person taking a driving test.

8:41pm

India's election opens — why New Zealand is watching closely

2:39

The biggest election in human history has got underway with close to a billion eligible voters.

More from Entertainment

Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” died Thursday, April 18, 2024. He was 80.

Allman Brothers Band co-founder Dickey Betts dies aged 80

He wrote the group’s biggest hit, Ramblin’ Man, and stayed on the road until he reached the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

6:28pm

This cover image released by Republic Records show "The Tortured Poets Department" by Taylor Swift.

Review: Taylor Swift — The Tortured Poets Department

In moments, her 11th album feels like a bloodletting: A cathartic purge after a major heartbreak delivered through an ascendant vocal run, an elegiac verse, or mobile, synthesized productions.

5:38pm

Styles is said to have been left "shaken" by Carvalho's behaviour.

Stalker who sent Harry Styles 8000 cards in under a month jailed

2:35pm

Britain's Prince Harry, right, and wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.

Prince Harry formally confirms US residency

11:56am

Hugh Grant.

Hugh Grant accepts 'enormous' settlement from UK tabloid

Thursday 10:20am