High school student dies in New Zealand cave during class trip as severe weather hit area

A high school student died during a class trip to a series of New Zealand caves as severe weather hit the area, officials said Wednesday. The boy's body was found after rescuers spent a day searching for him.

A group of 15 students and two adults from Whangārei Boys' High School in northern New Zealand went to the Abbey Caves Reserve on Tuesday morning as part of an outdoor education class, according to police and school officials. When severe weather struck the area, the group left the caves, and one student was unaccounted for, principal Karen Gilbert-Smith said in a statement.

A man who was working near the caves told the New Zealand Herald three students ran to him in tears saying they needed his phone. Caleb Salisbury told the Herald he went to help the group and tried to enter the caves when the adults realized a student was missing.