Thrillseeker battles for his life

Ricky Daniels was tipped out of his kayak in a whirlpool on the Waikato River. Picture / Alan Gibson

As Ricky Daniels was being swept down the Waikato River towards a river control chute near Taupo he started worrying about the people he would leave behind if he drowned.

"I was like, 'Oh no, this is how I die. I went for a 15-minute kayak and I didn't come back'."

His main concern was that his family would be angry because he had paddled into dangerous white water for an adrenalin rush.

"I thought my girlfriend and my Mum are going to be angry. I gave myself about 15 more seconds - I thought I was going to go under the water then my life was going to flash before my eyes."

Fortunately, the 19-year-old did not die, but he was trapped under a bridge for several hours while a crowd watched his dramatic rescue.

The drama started on Sunday afternoon after Mr Daniels decided to go for a paddle on a friend's kayak.

"I decided to go up the river and just kept going up. Then I started paddling in the white water. I kept going up but then I pushed it a bit too far."

The building apprentice was pulled into a whirlpool - created by the backwash of water under the control gates bridge in Taupo - before being sucked into a chute which controls the flow of water into the river.

"It pushed me under the bridge and I was floating around under there."

Once in the chute Mr Daniels tried to reach a log which was trapped under the bridge but he got knocked back into the water.

"The kayak got pushed out into the river so I was swimming."

After a struggle he managed to reach the log again and pulled himself out of the water. He then started yelling for help.

A woman walking her dog heard his cries and soon emergency workers and crowds began to arrive - in large numbers.

"After a while three people came, then four cops came, then a couple of my mates went skating past."

Before long 150 people were gathered on the bank, watching ropes and harnesses being lowered over the bridge.

"After a little while I just heard this 'Oi, oi' and I looked up and saw this fireman Henry and there was just the biggest smile on my face."

With the Lion Foundation rescue helicopter providing lighting from the air, emergency workers pulled Mr Daniels to safety.

Despite his amusing recall of the experience Mr Daniels has learned an important lesson.

"It wasn't too funny when I was swimming around in the water thinking I was going to die," he said.

"I should have been more aware and should have worn a lifejacket. I just shouldn't have done it but at the time it was an adrenalin rush. It just got too out of hand.

"I just want to thank everyone who saved my life."

Lion Foundation rescue helicopter pilot Chris Mansell said Mr Daniels was lucky to survive.