Lost sunglasses lead to beach rescue

A lost pair of sunglasses may have been the difference between life and death for a man swept out to sea near Gisborne.

The man, aged in his twenties, was rescued from a rip at Wainui Beach, just after 6pm yesterday.

Surfclub Captain Jeremy Lockwood said his patrol had already left for the day but he had lost his sunglasses and went to have a quick search for them when he heard the man's screams.

Mr Lockwood said, if not for that, the man would probably have drowned.

Another member of the public also jumped in the water to help rescue the man, who had been dragged 200 metres out to sea.

- NEWSTALK ZB