A father and two of his children got into strife in the surf and on the rocks yesterday afternoon and bystanders helped to get them to safety.
St John took three patients to Dunedin Hospital’s emergency department, but they had been discharged by yesterday evening.
Hamish Lay, of Dunedin, was exercising his dog when he heard yelling.
A father in the water was calling out to his young son on the beach to fetch help.
"A little kid came running towards me and asked for help," Mr Lay said.
He then saw two children clinging to each other on boogie boards.
Mr Lay rang emergency services and the incident then appeared to be over, but the trio had trouble getting off the rocks to safety.
Adding to the stress, a sea lion let out a huge roar when Mr Lay and his dog went to help.
Mr Lay and another man rendered assistance, first carrying a boy aged 5 off the rocks.
The father’s 9-year-old daughter kept calm, as she found the right footing to get to safety, Mr Lay said.
The bystanders also helped the father to get off the rocks.
Mr Lay said he did not realise initially how serious the situation was.
"It could have so easily been a completely different scenario."
He needed a couple of vodkas afterwards to settle his nerves.
