Pair come unstuck after slipping down Auckland cliff after socialising at 'cool spot'

Two men had been socialising at the top of an Auckland cliff at a “cool spot” when they attempted to climb down the steep face and slipped, says a person gave one a ride home.

Firefighters earlier rescued the stricken pair who had fallen down a cliff in the North Shore suburb of Castor Bay this morning.

One person is in hospital with serious injuries, while the second was unhurt.

A witness was told by the uninjured male the pair had been socialising up top when his friend slipped down the cliff.

The man told the witness he was visiting a relative who wanted to show him a “cool spot”.

Things took a turn when the pair attempted to climb back down the cliff.

“The male I spoke to said he was told by paramedics or rescuers the injured male likely had multiple broken ribs and would be going to hospital.

“He looked cold. Was wearing board shorts and it wasn’t exactly warm weather, so he was not really dressed for conditions.”

Hato Hone St John was notified of an incident at J F Kennedy Memorial Walkway, Castor Bay, just before 5am.

It sent two ambulances and two rapid response vehicles.

“Two patients were assessed at the scene with one transported to Auckland City Hospital in a serious condition,” St John said.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said they were called by the ambulance service at 4.57am to the incident, which happened around the Esplanade near Castor Bay Beach.

A specialist level 3 lines rescue team was at the scene along with a fire appliance and a rescue tender.

As of 5.40am they were working with police and ambulance officers to try to extricate the pair.

Police said they were notified at 5am of two people at the bottom of the cliff face.

“Emergency services attended and located the pair on the rocks,” police said.

“One person was transported to hospital in a serious condition, and the second person was uninjured.”

Police are making enquiries into what had happened.

It’s not yet clear how the pair ended up at the foot of the cliff and whether they had fallen.