Six rescued from rips at Bay beaches

An Auckland woman and a local man were rescued from a rip at Mount Maunganui beach after getting into trouble in the water.

Police and the Mount Maunganui Surf lifesaving club responded to reports of a woman in distress in the water yesterday afternoon.

The 63-year-old woman went swimming off the beach and got into difficulties in a rip.

A local resident saw the woman 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.

Police said the man had swallowed a considerable amount of water and was admitted to hospital. The woman was checked by St John staff at the scene but did not require further medical treatment.

The woman was holidaying at the Mount with her husband from Auckland, and were both extremely grateful for the actions of the man, who risked his own life to assist her.

Sergeant Craig Madden of the Police Search and Rescue said if the Surf Life guards had not arrived when they did the two people could have drowned.

He applauded the brave actions of the man but was mindful that the public should ensure their safety as well and not put themselves in a position that is beyond their own capabilities.

Just as this rescue came to an end 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. Two men aged 20 and 24 went to their rescue on boogie boards.

The four were still struggling to get back ashore and had to be assisted by others to get the girls back to shore. One of the girls was treated by St John staff at the scene.

Mr Madden said the best practice was to swim between the flags, as rips could be hard to identify and could be deadly.