Video footage released by police shows the dramatic rescue of a fisherman being rescued from rough seas off Auckland's west coast.
The man, who was washed off the rocks at O’Neill’s Bay on October 8, "was being knocked around in the rough waters and was tiring quickly", police said.
He wasn't wearing a life jacket but his friend had thrown him a life ring.
Eagle helicopter crew senior constable Mark Lendrum, constable Jason Farrell and their pilot responded to an emergency call and spotted the man caught in a rip.
"The Eagle-eyed pilot spotted the man in the ring within a narrow channel between Kauwahaia Island and the headland," Sergeant Mark Jamieson said.
"The man appeared very distressed and was swallowing water. He was getting swamped by the waves and would go in slightly when the waves crashed on him and then he would be taken back out with the rip."
Once the helicopter landed on the beach, an officer grabbed a rescue tube and headed out into the water.
However, by this time the man had been washed out further. He was covered in foam and getting buffeted by the waves.
When the surf and rocks prevented police getting any further on land, the officer decided to swim out to him.
By the time police reached the man, he was exhausted, very pale, had foam coming from his mouth and could not speak.
A surfer also at the beach, who turned out to be an off-duty cop, helped get the man back to the beach.
The man was then taken to nearby Bethells Beach in a serious condition where lifeguards helped with his first aid treatment.
"He was later transported to hospital by Westpac (chopper) and is very lucky to be alive," Jamieson said.
Following the incident, police said the dramatic rescue was a reminder of the importance of water safety.
Since alert levels lowered in Auckland, sergeant Garry Larsen said there had been a concerning number of reports of kayakers or swimmers in trouble and fishermen being washed off rocks.
"Sadly, in some of these cases, people have lost their lives. So we're really urging you to take extra care when you're out on the water," he said.
Police urged anyone heading out on the water to always wear a life jacket, check weather conditions, know whether the tide is coming in or going out, make sure someone on shore knows where you are and can raise the alarm if you get into trouble and if boating make sure to have two forms of communication with you - at least one of which should be waterproof.
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