Sports star feared drowned at Bethells

The young man believed drowned at west Auckland's Bethell's Beach last night is an up and coming sports star, Newstalk ZB has reported.

The newsroom has not yet named the 20-year-old man, saying his team-mates were still to be told of his disappearance.

Sources told Newstalk ZB the man had been at Bethell's on a training run.

They said he went into the water to help a family member who had got into difficulty swimming.

He was one of four men believed to have been caught by strong currents after entering the water.

The alarm was raised about 8pm, and two inflatable boats and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were scrambled. Three men were rescued.

Family members and surf life savers kept searching for the sportsman until 1am and the Eagle helicopter resumed its search later this morning.

- NEWSTALK ZB