Beach rescues at Midway and Wainui

Midway Beach file picture

NEW Zealand surf lifesaving representative Olivia Corrin was in the right place at the right time last night to save an 11-year-old boy who got into trouble in a rip at Midway and to assist a woman who tried to help him.

The 18-year-old Midway lifeguard was in the surf having some fun on a nipper board at about 5.50pm when the drama unfolded.

“The boy got caught in a rip just east of the Midway clubhouse and was swept about 100 metres offshore,” said the club’s patrol convener Rama Robertson.

“A woman who was passing by on the beach went out to help the boy in the less-than-a-metre-sized surf but she was struggling to keep him afloat.

“Olivia saw what was happening and paddled over to them.”

Robertson said she put the woman on to her small board and helped her catch a wave back to the beach.

“Then she took the boy in a rescue tow and swam him back to the beach.

“The boy was distressed and exhausted but otherwise OK when Olivia got him back to shore.

“The boy and the woman who went to help were very lucky that she happened to be close by. Otherwise they would have been in a lot of trouble.”

Robertson said it was a very good rescue from Corrin, despite having rolled her ankle at the weekend.

The boy had been wearing long pants and could not swim, Robertson said.

“The incident is a timely reminder for people to know their limits in the water, and it’s also a reminder for parents to keep an eye on their children.

“The boy’s parents were sitting up the beach when it happened.”

Corrin was a member of the Black Fins New Zealand surf lifesaving team who finished runners-up to Australia at the Life Saving World Championships national teams’ competition in Adelaide.