A Haruru dad, enjoying a lakeside walk with his whānau, helped rescue a family of four when they ran into trouble in the water.
Police said Aaron Stott, a father of four, was at Kai Iwi Lakes near Dargaville with his wife and three of his children earlier this month, taking an early-evening walk.
He said that while walking back, his wife spotted "a couple of kids in the water" and noticed something "wasn’t quite right".
“Then all of a sudden the mum ran in and basically just went under,” he said.
Stott immediately took action, running into the water to help.
“I managed to get the mum and a child into the shallow part of the water," he said.
“And then I thought, ‘oh thank goodness, I’ve got them out and they’re ok’.”
'They were at the bottom of the lake'
Things became more dramatic when Stott heard another person call out that two others were still in the water.
"I couldn’t see anyone, so I just dove in, and there were two more people, and they were at the bottom of the lake.”
Stott managed to take hold of both people, pushing them up to the lake's surface.
“Someone grabbed the father, and he was ok, but I was holding the boy who was blue and unresponsive.
“I carried him up to the beach and whacked him on the back a couple of times before putting him on his side, and he started breathing again.”
At this stage, Stott's daughter ran for help, with a nurse at the scene and an ambulance on the way.
The family was treated at the scene by the St John ambulance crew.
Stott said he was thankful he jumped in to help when he did.
“If I were 10 seconds later, I think it would have been a really different outcome.
“To be in that place, and at that time – it’s pretty crazy, and really lucky.
“I just really hope they are all ok.”
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Labelled a 'hero'
Explaining what was going through his mind during the rescue, Stott said: “Just get them out, get them out of the water.”
He hoped the incident prompted other families to be safe around the water.
“Just don’t go in if you’re not experienced in the water, and if you are going on any type of craft, then always wear a life jacket.”
Senior Sergeant Dave Wilkinson called Stott a "hero".
“He didn’t hesitate, he dove in and rescued four people, and he deserves to be recognised for his actions.”
Water Safety NZ interventions lead, Esther Hone, said Stott's actions saved lives.
“The instinct to save others is a natural human instinct. However, around water, it can be very dangerous.
"Every year we lose New Zealanders who drown attempting to rescue others.”
Wilkinson urged anyone heading into the water this summer to be prepared
Water can be unforgiving, and we want everyone to come home safely to their families.
“Never overestimate your abilities. Many people believe their swimming ability is better than it really is.
“If you are not experienced in the water, stay where your feet can touch the ground and take extra precautions.”
Hato Hone St John mid north area operations manager Callum Bracey said crews frequently responded to water events, showing how crucial early bystander action and first aid was.
“If more people learn how to call 111, perform CPR, and locate the nearest AED, then more lives can be saved in an emergency.
"If there is a water-related emergency, always call 111 immediately and ask for police."
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