Desperate beachgoers formed a human chain to battle ''treacherous and dumping'' waves to save a boy from drowning.
Twelve-year-old Joshua McQuoid was caught by a wave and swept out while playing with a friend at the beach on Napier's Marine Parade, in New Zealand.
A German tourist went to the boy's aid but was unable to keep a hold of him, a police spokesman said. The conditions were described as ''treacherous with dumping waves and an extremely strong undertow''.
A police officer then swam to the boy but was unable to hold him due to the heavy surf.
He was joined by a few members of the public who tried to help. A second officer entered the water and reached the boy, at times losing hold of him as the boy went under water.
He was under for ''considerable periods of up to 20 seconds at a time and fading fast'', police said.
About 12 members of the public and four police officers then desperately grabbed hold of each other to form a human chain, managing to pull the boy to shore.
Initially he was ''unresponsive, physically spent, and could not move unaided''. He was moved up on to the beach where members of the public gave him first aid.
Joshua's father, Shane, said the family was grateful to the members of the public and the police who helped in the rescue.
''I just wish I could thank each and every one. Without them basically my son wouldn't be here.''
Joshua was at the beach with Hikiroa Ratapu and another friend when the wave knocked them both down, Mr McQuoid said.
''I think they had their feet in the water and from what Josh said he turned around to speak to his mate when the wave hit.''
Senior Sergeant Mike Stevenson said the actions of the police officers were ''admirable''.
''The first two officers who braved the conditions, they are extremely admirable and displayed a lot of bravery getting into the surf.
''If they had not done what they had done I'm positive the boy may not still be with us.''
He said that stretch of coastline was ''notorious'', with a ''pretty steep drop-off, thumping waves and really strong undertow''.
Twelve-year-old Joshua McQuoid was caught by a wave and swept out while playing with a friend at the beach on Napier's Marine Parade, in New Zealand.
A German tourist went to the boy's aid but was unable to keep a hold of him, a police spokesman said. The conditions were described as ''treacherous with dumping waves and an extremely strong undertow''.
A police officer then swam to the boy but was unable to hold him due to the heavy surf.
He was joined by a few members of the public who tried to help. A second officer entered the water and reached the boy, at times losing hold of him as the boy went under water.
He was under for ''considerable periods of up to 20 seconds at a time and fading fast'', police said.
About 12 members of the public and four police officers then desperately grabbed hold of each other to form a human chain, managing to pull the boy to shore.
Initially he was ''unresponsive, physically spent, and could not move unaided''. He was moved up on to the beach where members of the public gave him first aid.
Joshua's father, Shane, said the family was grateful to the members of the public and the police who helped in the rescue.
''I just wish I could thank each and every one. Without them basically my son wouldn't be here.''
Joshua was at the beach with Hikiroa Ratapu and another friend when the wave knocked them both down, Mr McQuoid said.
''I think they had their feet in the water and from what Josh said he turned around to speak to his mate when the wave hit.''
Senior Sergeant Mike Stevenson said the actions of the police officers were ''admirable''.
''The first two officers who braved the conditions, they are extremely admirable and displayed a lot of bravery getting into the surf.
''If they had not done what they had done I'm positive the boy may not still be with us.''
He said that stretch of coastline was ''notorious'', with a ''pretty steep drop-off, thumping waves and really strong undertow''.
Source : SydneyMorningHerald
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