Just before 3.15pm today Police were called to Fisherman's Wharf at Northcote Point, following a report that a car with a woman inside had gone into the water.
Constables Paul Watts and Simon Russell, who are both Motorway officers based at the Harbour Bridge, went immediately to the scene.
When they arrived, the late-model BMW car was three-quarters full of water and was continuing to fill up, submerge and drift. The distraught woman (who was the sole occupant) was trying to get out.
Two members of the public were trying to hold the vehicle in an effort to stop it from submerging any further.
The officers removed their SRBA vests and immediately tried to open the doors.
Constable Russell used his extendable baton to try and smash the front window, however this did not work.
A local reporter who had been nearby taking photos of the Harbour Bridge when the incident occurred, heard the commotion and volunteered to help. Constable Watts asked him to get a big rock.
Using the rock provided, Constable Watts managed to smash the back window.
Both officers then pulled the woman free and removed her to safety.
The 63 year-old woman was taken to hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. How the car came to be in the water is still under investigation.
"The pictures are a vivid potrayal of what happened and we're extremely proud of the work both of our officers have done here. It goes without saying that without their efforts, the outcome here could have been much different. The members of the public that assisted here are also to be commended for their efforts and we'll looking to formally recognise their contribution to this rescue" says Superintendent Bill Searle, District Commander, Waitemata Police .
ENDS
Beth Bates/Waitemata Police