A bystander risked his life to save a woman caught in a rip at Mount Maunganui yesterday.
Police said a 63-year-old woman was swimming at the beach near Banks Ave when she got in to difficulties in a rip.
A local resident saw the female in distress and entered the surf to assist her, but got into difficulties himself.
An IRB from the surf club arrived a short time later and rescued both.
The man who entered the water to rescue the woman had swallowed a considerable amount of water was admitted to hospital.
The female was checked by St John staff at the scene but did not required further medical treatment.
She was holidaying at the Mount with her husband from Auckland, and the couple said they were extremely grateful for the man, who police said risked his own life to save her.
Sergeant Craig Madden said if the lifeguards had not arrived when they did they could have had two drownings on their hands.
He applauded the brave actions of the man but said the public needed to be mindful to ensure their safety as well, and not put themselves in a position that was beyond their own capabilities.
Meanwhile, later yesterday afternoon police were notified of four persons in trouble at Pukehina beach.
Two girls aged 14 and 15 got caught in a rip and were being sucked out and two men aged 20 and 24 went to their rescue on boogie boards.
The four were still struggling to get back ashore and needed assistance to get the girls back to shore.
One of the females was treated by St John staff at the scene.
Mr Madden said the best practise was to swim between the flags because rips could be hard to identify and could be deadly.
NZME.
