Rescuer tells of top sailor's screams after surf incident in Omaha

The man who rescued a top sailor from the swells of Omaha Beach has recalled hearing the seaman's screams for help as he sprung into action.

Former America's Cup sailor Simone de Mari sustained a spinal injury on March 3 and was brought into shore by a civilian.

Speaking to Stuff, the civilian, who didn't not want to be named as to avoid any fuss, said he was out for a swim when he heard the cry for help.

"I was the first to the scene in the water ... I swam to him and swam him into shore.

"The lifeguards came down once we got him onto the beach."

Surf Life Saving Northern Region operations manager Alan Gibson confirmed to Stuff lifeguards attended a neck injury incident at the surf beach that day and several were called to the scene where they immobilised de Mari's spine.

The Italian sailor was transported by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital in Auckland where he spent the following week in their high dependency ward in a serious but stable condition.

De Mari sailed for Prada Challenge in the 2000 America's Cup and remained with the team in 2003 and 2007 after they were renamed to Luna Rossa.

He then joined Oracle Team USA on their America's Cup winning campaign in 2010.