Mudflats rescue 'just part of job'

The rescue of a 10-year-old girl with one leg, who got stuck in mudflats yesterday afternoon, was "part and parcel of the job" for Papakura fireman Kereama Katu.

Fire services were called to the mudflats off Conifer Grove and Mr Katu, who has been a fulltime fireman for three years, traipsed through the mud and rescued the stranded girl.

"I think she was playing with her friend and she went out a bit too far and got stuck," said 28-year-old Mr Katu.

"When I reached her she was standing there with her [prosthetic] leg in her hands ... which she had managed to get off."

Mr Katu said he carried her about 150m back to safety.

"Her eyes lit up when she saw me and she was thankful we were there.

"She was totally overwhelmed and full of bubbles," he said.

He took her prosthesis back to the fire truck and hosed it down.

Mr Katu said the situation had the potential to be dangerous.

"The tide was turning and it could have come in at any time. It's a risky thing, but it had to be done."

But Mr Katu said he wasn't a hero.

"It's just part and parcel of the job."

The girl, who was with her mother and sister, was checked by ambulance staff at the scene.

A spokesman said she did not require any medical attention.