KEY POINTS:
A teenager tried to save his stranded mates by using a chain of fishing rods at a dangerous West Auckland fishing spot yesterday.
The group wore no lifejackets as they fished at Nine Pins Rock, Whatipu and became stranded about 1pm.
Members of the Karekare Surf Life Saving Patrol and Manukau Volunteer Coastguard arrived to save the group around 3pm. A plea for help from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter could not be answered because of a missing winch. Police were also called.
A guest at nearby Whatipu Lodge, Mary Kingsbury, told the Herald on Sunday how she watched one of the party try to swim ashore but "she began to get swept away and just managed to fling herself back to the rock".
Another in the group managed to wade ashore with a "bag with a whole lot of fishing rods" and bravely attempted to form a chain with his stuck friends.
"When he got there I asked him what time was high tide. He just looked at me and didn't have a clue," Kingsbury, who lives in Mt Albert, said.
Local surfers also tried to help the group but gave up because of strong winds and deep waters. One of the fishers, Koren national Harry Park, said he frequently caught "baby sharks" at Whatipu.
Last night, Steven Perreau, duty officer at Costguard Northern Region, said the indicent - which could have ended in tragedy because of the increasing swell - reinforced the need to educate those fishing from rocks that lifejackets were essential.
Yesterday's events come three months after the drowning of Shian Li, 66, who was washed off the rocks at Burnett Head near Whatipu. Police said no lifejacket and heavy clothing contributed to Li's death.
