Emergency services were called to Muriwai Beach this afternoon following reports from a member of the public that a surfer was in difficultly.
Coastguard, the Police Eagle helicopter and Westpac Rescue helicopter all headed to the West Coast Beach only to find the distressed surfer was actually aseal who had made its way to shore and was sunning itself on the beach.
The call for help had been made after a person saw the seal swimming with a group of surfers before moving away. The person thought the seal was a surfer who had drifted away from the group and got into difficulties.
The services have all since been stood down, grateful for happy, albeit unusual, ending for a change.
