Hikers plunge 28 feet in New Zealand bridge collapse
New Zealand is known as a land of adventure, but four French hikers got more excitement than they might have wanted on the Lake Waikaremoana Track in the country’s Te Urewera National Park.
As a dramatic, recently released video shows, when a cable on the Hopu Ruahine bridge along the track gave way, the hiking party was sent plunging 28 feet into a river below.
None of the hikers were seriously injured.
The fall, which occurred on September 3, is being blamed on a manufacturing defect.
“This is good luck, not good management. Our reputation cannot rely on luck,” a New Zealand Department of Conservation spokesperson told the NZ Herald.
“The cable failure is not only extremely concerning, it leaves New Zealand vulnerable to harmful tourism reaction. This must be sorted immediately.”
Full details of the bridge failure are still under investigation.
Located on the country’s North Island, Te Urewera National Park is known for its rugged mountains, lakes, forests and secluded hiking trails.