Family seek identity of soldier who helped teen after he collapsed at Thursday's Anzac dawn service

Dawn Service at Muruika Soldiers' Cemetery on Thursday were Ryan Kelly collapsed. Photo / File

After being rushed to hospital in the middle of Thursday's Anzac dawn service, one family are seeking the identity of a soldier who they believe helped save a teenager's life.

Ryan Kelly was attending the Rotorua Dawn Service along with thousands of locals who came together for Anzac Day in Ōhinemutu when a wave of dizziness rushed over him.

The 19-year-old said to his girlfriend he felt "yuck" but when she went to grab his hand it wasn't there.

His mother Nadine said Ryan had collapsed and whacked his head on the concrete.

"He started vomiting and we were also told that there was a bit where he stopped breathing but he was pretty much in and out of consciousness."

Eugene Iti holding his grandfather James Hubbard's portrait close to where Ryan was standing. Photo / File

Ryan was eventually taken to hospital and was now home resting but Nadine said it could have been a different story if the soldier standing next to him hadn't put him in the recovery position.

"As soon as Ryan hit the ground this guy leapt into action.

"This guy pretty much saved his life so we just want to track him down and say thank you."

Past and present servicemen and women stood in their uniforms to commemorate all who had fought for our country and Nadine believes the man was either a solider or cadet.

"He was part of the service dressed in full uniform."

Ryan was standing near the tombs in the Muruika Soldiers' Cemetery.

If you know the identity of the man in the uniform, please email news@dailypost.co.nz.