Surf rescue attend to a group of people on the beach at Piha after they had to be pulled from dangerous conditions. Photo / Piha Rescue
Three men have been discharged from hospital after being pulled from the surf by members of the public in a dramatic rescue at Piha Beach last night.
The incident unfolded at 7.30pm when a 47-year-old man got into trouble while swimming.
His son and a friend swam out to help
but started struggling against the waves, said Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman Leon Ford.
"They all swallowed a bit of water. The dad was very close to giving up," he said.
Two kayakers nearby paddled over and saved the men by pulling them from the water he said.
