A Southland teenager is believed to have been stabbed by a stingray at Oreti Beach.
The incident occurred about 8.30pm yesterday, as hundreds of people enjoyed an evening on the beach.
Oreti Surf Life Saving lifeguard Timothy Ball said he and other club members were training when they were approached to help the young woman.
The off-duty lifeguards arrived to find her bleeding from a circular wound on her upper right thigh.
Friends had already applied a tourniquet.