Falls hero speaks as TCC plan review

They know they probably shouldn't have gone down there – but it's a good job they did.

Tauranga's Andre Sperling and nine of his university mates trekked to Omanawa Falls for a swim last Saturday, when they saw a father and son tumble 100m from a walking track.


Students Adam Staples, Jack Dodd, Sam Dodd, Devin Church and Andre Sperling witnessed the father and son falling 100m from Omanawa Falls last Saturday.

'We heard a woman scream and a few of us went up to have a look,” says 19-year-old Andre. 'We found the dad and his son a few meters away. They weren't in a great state.”

The students stayed with the pair until the TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter arrived. They comforted them, talked to them and gave them water.

'It was pretty freaky,” says Andre, 'but the paramedics were really helpful. As soon as they came everything was really calm, organised and efficient.”

The rescue helicopter winched the pair from the dense bush and flew them to Tauranga Hospital, where the pair are still recovering. The 38-year-old father suffered serious back and shoulder injuries, while his 12-year-old son sustained serious head injuries.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board communications manager Diana Marriott says the father remains in a serious but stable condition in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, while the boy is stable on a ward.

Andre's an experienced white-water paddler, while his friends all have lifesaving experience.

Despite their water safety knowledge, it's not something Andre and his mates expected to happen when they went out for a swim. 'It's just lucky someone was there to help them out,” says Andre.

He knows it's a challenge getting to the falls – but he reckons it's worth it.

'It's becoming quite a popular swimming spot,” he adds. 'You're not really going to stop people from swimming there.”

Following the incident, Tauranga City Council is reviewing security of the site.

Safe public access to view the falls, which are managed by TCC, is provided only as far as the entrance to the old tunnel that descends 50m-60m from the cliff top to the lagoon.

The tunnel is locked and inaccessible to the public. According to TCC, the park's management plan includes aspirations to open the tunnel for public access, but there is currently no funding to bring it up to acceptable safety standard.

'Safety issues include inadequate lighting and hand railing, uneven steps and drainage issues that make the steps extra slippery on top of the steepness,” says TCC in a media statement.

An informal track to the falls has been created by members of the public, which is not approved or maintained by the council.

Entrance to the informal track has been fenced off, but TCC says the fence is vandalised and the ‘no entry' and ‘danger' signs are damaged or removed by the public several times each year.

People can visit the lagoon to enjoy the view – but TCC advises people not to swim there. Visitors are encouraged to stay on the approved track and are warned not to go down to the bottom of the falls.

You may also like....

1 comment

nice but dim

Posted on 02-02-2015 00:45 | By Wonkytonk

This water hole is great, those who go via the closed track must see the drop off's and understand the risk. I once went down the steps and was not surprised when TCC closed access as they were slippery and crazy! Lets hope the recovery is good and lessons are learnt. (plus a Dad should know better!)


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.