Two tourists escaped with minor injuries after being swept out to sea off the Coromandel coast this afternoon.
Police northern communications Inspector Jason Greenhalgh said the tourists got caught in a rip at Whangamata beach about 1pm.
However, Whangamata lifeguards on duty managed to rescue the pair.
"Both received medical treatment, as a precaution, by ambulance at the scene. However, they didn't have any serious injuries," he said.
A witness at the beach said they saw the IRB "screaming" out over the water to save the pair who were well outside the flags.
