Bethells beach rescue: Four young men swept out to sea in West Auckland - one in critical condition

One person has been airlifted to hospital in critical condition after a group of four young men were swept out to sea at Te Henga (Bethells Beach) in West Auckland on Sunday afternoon.

Surf Life Saving NZ received notification at 5.40pm from Hato Hone St John that three people were in distress at the beach.

The Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving Patrol Search and Rescue squad was quickly activated.

“Using two inflatable rescue boats [IRBs], the team located two people. After safely returning them to shore, the IRBs continued their search and found a third person who was unconscious and unresponsive,” a Surf Life Saving NZ spokesperson said.

The person was brought ashore, where surf lifeguards immediately initiated CPR.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter soon arrived and airlifted the patient from the beach.

However, some confusion about the circumstances of the four men’s rescue arose between authorities.

Police initially claimed they launched their rescue boat Deodar and retrieved a group of men from the water.

“They were assessed by St John Ambulance and transported to Waitākere Hospital, each in a condition that is not believed to be life-threatening,” police said in a statement.

“A fourth man remained outstanding in the water before being located by the Westpac Helicopter and retrieved by Deodar. This man was transported to Auckland City Hospital by helicopter in a critical condition.”

A Surf Life Saving New Zealand spokesperson subsequently offered some “clarifications in regards to our media release”.

“We stand by our statement that surf lifeguards in IRBs rescued the three people,” the spokesperson said.

“Surf lifeguards were involved in rescuing three people. It’s understood the fourth person, who may have been in trouble, self-rescued.”

Police eventually issued a correction to their original release, stating it was “incorrect” in claiming the police launch Deodar retrieved the men swept out to sea.

“Surf Life Saving New Zealand crews retrieved the men from the water,” police said in a new statement.

“We apologise for the error and any confusion caused.”