Bethells Beach (file image). Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
It was a near-miss for a teenager swept out to sea at a notoriously dangerous Auckland beach last night, rescuers say.
The police Eagle helicopter and Surf Life Saving New Zealand responded to a near-drowing at Bethells Beach about 8.20pm on Friday after four teenagers got caught in a rip.
Three managed to swim to shore and call for help.
The beach was unpatrolled at the time.
Surf Life Saving club president Dan Harvey said the rescue of the 17-year-old-girl was "textbook" but could easily have turned to tragedy.
He said a flotation device dropped by the helicopter was key.
She was becoming hypothermic by the time surf lifesavers reached her in a rescue boat, he said.
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