Four people including two children were rescued after being dragged out to sea in a rip at Maketū this afternoon.
Volunteer Coastguard president Shane Beech said he was alerted to the unfolding drama by several distressed women.
''I was working in a cafe down off the beach when a couple of distressed ladies came in off the beach yelling and screaming saying there were children in trouble out at sea.
"I had a quick look out the window and could see four heads floating."
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