Emergency services are being praised for their efforts during a difficult rescue of a pair in a truck and trailer which had entered the river from the Manawatu Gorge road above.
They were called to the scene late Friday morning to find the vehicle having come off the road and plunging the man and woman inside into the water.
Manawatu area commander Inspector Sarah Stewart says police officers climbed down the steep bank in "very strong, windy conditions".
"They've gone down and taken care of the two patients - a male and a female - who were down there. The male was in the water and had to be held up and held out the water by one of our police officers," she said.
The cause of the crash is still being investigated (Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter)
They called in the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter to winch the pair and the other emergency services staff out.
"The extraction was very difficult because of the high winds and the conditions of the gorge here today.
She said the helicopter pilot did some "incredible flying".
The truck, which was heading toward Palmerston North, is believed to have been carrying "milk products".
Insp Stewart said the investigation into the incident is in the early stages and it is not known whether weather conditions were a factor.
All victims have been taken to hospital, and the police officer who went into the river is being given a medical check.
The New Zealand Transport Agency says State Highway 3 is still closed though there is a detour on the Saddle Rd
An update is expected this afternoon.
Newshub.
