Kayaker thanks 'amazing superhero' who saved his life

Kayaker Ryan Lucas said he is lucky to be alive after he plunged down the the Tauranga-Taupo Falls. PHOTO/PETER McKELLAR

Okere Falls extreme kayaker Ryan Lucas who was nearly killed when he plunged down a 25m waterfall has thanked the "amazing superhero" who saved his life.

Lucas, 25, failed to surface after riding over the waterfall on the Tauranga-Taupo River last Monday.

It was his friend and kayaking partner Mark Roy who ran to the rescue, hauled him out of the water before performing CPR and reviving him.

Lucas posted on Facebook yesterday about the "scary" experience.

"Very scary crazy time I had this week. I'm feeling extremely lucky and grateful to be alive, thanks to this amazing superhero Mike Roy.

"I would not be here to this day if it wasn't for Mike's fast actions in pulling me out of the water and reviving me."

He said he hit his head on the cockpit of his boat on impact, which knocked him out cold.

"To cut a long story short, I ended up boofing 70ft to flat. On impact I hit my head on the cockpit of the boat which knocked me out cold. I won't go into too much more detail, but can't thank you enough for what you did Mike."

Roy made sure Lucas was comfortable before scrambling 100m up a bank and walking 5km down a forestry road to get cellphone reception and raise the alarm.

After a long struggle, the pair were eventually found by emergency services.

The stricken kayaker, who was suffering from hypothermia and was vomiting blood, told the helicopter crew his friend had saved his life.

Lucas also thanked the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, police, search and rescue and the medical people involved in his rescue.

"Also thanks for all the nice messages which have been coming in."