Three children rescued from sea

Two good samaritans and a policeman were involved in a dramatic rescue of three children as they were being dragged out to sea off a Napier beach yesterday.

Constable Eden Sewell of Napier police said they were called to the scene behind the National Aquarium of New Zealand on Marine Parade at about 3.50pm to help the children aged nine, 11 and 12.

When police arrived a man and a 16-year-old male youth were already in the water attempting to rescue the children, Mr Sewell said.

The man managed to drag out the 11- and 12-year-olds, but the 16-year-old was having trouble bringing back in the nine-year-old girl, who had drifted further out than the others.

"They were just having a bit of difficulty off-shore, so I just jumped in to give them a hand," Mr Sewell said.

"I'd say they got pulled out by the tow."

The sea at Napier was notorious for dangerous undertows and rips, Mr Sewell said.

The beach was closed yesterday, and there were signs up to warn swimmers of the dangers.

Mr Sewell said the parents of the children who lived across the road from the beach, were not at the beach at the time of the near-tragedy.

They were very lucky that concerned members of the public contacted the police and risked danger themselves to save the three, he said.

All children were taken to hospital for observation.

- NZPA