A dozen surf lifesavers, paramedics and a doctor battled in vain for more than an hour to save a surfer's life after he was dragged from waves by a swimmer at a beach.
A beachgoer at Karioitahi Beach, 70km southwest of Auckland, spotted the man waving for help about 1pm yesterday.
Karioitahi Surf Lifesaving Club head Mike Lawrence said the man, in his mid 30s to early 40s, was surfing about 1km north of the surf club and flagged area.
"A member of the public went out and brought him back to shore. He began CPR on him while another member of the public came back to the surf club to raise the alarm."
Nine senior lifeguards used defibrillators and oxygen for 20 minutes until St John paramedics arrived.
"He was in the water by himself but he had friends of his on the beach and they were quite distressed to learn of what was happening."
A Westpac rescue helicopter also responded with a doctor on board.
Despite the combined efforts, the man was unable to be resuscitated.
Mr Lawrence said it was brave of the beachgoer to step in. "He did a fantastic job and got him back to shore and gave the guy the best chance possible."
- NZ Herald
