KEY POINTS:
A young man had to be rescued after jumping into a fast flowing river to try and save his dog in Southland at the weekend.
The 18-month-old golden labrador was swept away after jumping into the Mararoa River for a swim on Saturday while a young couple were out walking it.
The 18-year-old woman and 25-year-old man both leapt into the river after the dog, but were caught in the strong current, the Southland Times reported.
The man managed to climb ashore at the base of a steep cliff, but was trapped.
The woman got ashore a few hundred metres downriver and raised the alarm.
Constable Glenn Matheson, of Te Anau police, said tour operator Luxmore Jet rescued the man.
Unfortunately the dog drowned.
- NZPA
