Good samaritan drowns off Breaker Bay

A 21-year-old man was swept out to sea from a Wellington beach and drowned last night.

Police said the young man was "just mucking around" with some friends about 6pm on Breaker Bay beach.

When one of the group was knocked over by a wave, the 21-year-old, who was fully clothed, and a friend went out to pick him up.

They had got him up when a wave swept the victim out into the harbour mouth. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the fatality.