Young Kiwi's miracle survival

Nine-year-old Mason Kaaho with his grandfather Joe Kaaho (left) and uncle Ronald Wallace. Photo / Gold Coast Bulletin.

A nine-year-old Auckland boy who went over a 20m waterfall in a rain-swollen Queensland stream swam for his life as he felt the current pushing him downstream away from his frightened family.

Mason Kaaho said it was "pretty scary" battling his way through the water to a rock pool, bruised and battered from bouncing off rocks after he was washed over the Cedar Creek Falls about 60km from Brisbane.

"It all happened so quickly. Mason got in with his cousin and before we knew it he went over the falls and into the next pool," his grandfather Joe Kaaho told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

"He told me he could feel the water pushing him further [downstream], but he is a very strong swimmer so he swam to the side. He can't remember anything else."

Mason was airlifted to the Gold Coast Hospital and paramedics were surprised to find he had only minor injuries, including cut legs, a bruised back and a gash in his head that needed six stitches. He was discharged from hospital hours later.

Mason was on his first trip overseas for a summer holiday with Mr Kaaho and his wife Mavis, who live near Brisbane.

The couple, Mason and about 10 other family members spent Sunday on the Gold Coast and decided to stop at Cedar Creek Falls on the way home.

They had not been there long when Mason was swept over the edge of the pool they were swimming in.

Once he reached the rock pool, he swam to the edge and was pulled from the water by another group.

He was carried on a stretcher to the top of the falls where a helicopter was waiting to take him to hospital.

Careflight doctor Hayley Friesich was "quite surprised" Mason was in such good condition after "bouncing" 20 metres.

Mason has been reluctant to speak about his ordeal, but has asked his family lots of questions.

"I think there is still something there where he wants to go back and remember what happened ... but we are not pushing him too hard," Mr Kaaho said.

Mason's parents and family in Auckland were shocked when they heard what happened.

A relative told the Herald Mason was recovering well.

"He's really good, but he misses his mum and dad. I spoke to him and he wasn't his usual chipper self. He said 'I miss dad and I want to come home'.

On December 8, a teenager suffered serious spinal injuries at the falls.

He was swinging from a rope when he hit rocks.

Mr Kaaho said it was amazing Mason was not more seriously injured.

Queensland police said Mason was not doing anything wrong in the water before he was swept over the falls. They said Queensland's heavy rain was lifting water levels in rivers and creeks, making them more dangerous.

Said Mr Kaaho: "There was a lot of water coming down into the top pool, which is why we moved to the next level and a safer spot. But obviously it wasn't.

"It's a lovely place, but at times maybe people shouldn't be swimming there. You have to be alert for anything."