Woman lucky to be alive after trying to save son

Photo / NZME.

A 35 year old mother is lucky to be alive after she almost drowned trying to rescue her 10 year old son who was caught in a rip at a beach south of Napier.

The woman got into difficulty after she swam to help her young son at Mangakuri Beach at around 7pm.

Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter pilot Jeremy Bruce said the boy made it to shore on his own, but the mother was rescued by an elderly man with a boat.

Mother and son were transported by helicopter to Hawkes Bay Regional Hospital.

Mr Bruce said the mother had swallowed a lot of water but was in a moderate condition.