Whakarewarewa Village closes for investigation

Photo: Two people were rushed to hospital amid media reports of a sinkhole at Whakarewarewa Village.

Whakarewarewa Village is closed to the public after a woman visiting from Australia fell into a sinkhole near its entrance, suffering serious burns.

The woman is in a serious but stable condition in Rotorua Hospital after the fall at the geothermal attraction yesterday.

Her husband, who was with her, was treated for moderate injuries. The couple are from Perth, Australia.

Village general manager Mike Gibbons said the attraction would be closed while WorkSafe and Rotorua Lakes Council investigated.

The sinkhole was on Tyron Street, on a footpath leading into the village, he said, and was about 2m long and 1m wide and deep. The area will be closed off to the public.

Gibbons said it appeared the ground may have been compromised following heavy rainfall.

Video - Aukaha News.

Rotorua District Council said other roads in the village would be checked as a precaution.

- RNZ.

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