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A hypothermic surfer has been plucked to safety in “complete darkness” after getting caught in a rip and drifting 1.5km off West Auckland’s Piha Beach. 

Police said a man called for help about 8pm on Tuesday after his brother was caught in a strong rip north of Lion Rock. 

Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen, officer in charge of Maritime, Air Support and Search and Rescue, said the Maritime Unit alerted Eagle, who arrived quickly to search for the missing surfer. Two inflatable rescue boats (IRBs) from the Piha Surf Lifesaving Club were also launched. 

Light faded fast. The IRBs were forced back to shore to wait on standby as weather conditions deteriorated, he said. 

“Just after 9pm, and in complete darkness, Eagle located a person around 1.5 kilometres offshore waving for assistance.” 

The surfer was located by the Police Eagle helicopter shortly after 9pm. Photo / Surf Life Saving New Zealand 

Eagle “lit him up in the water” with search lights, allowing the IRBs to launch again. 

“The crew quickly collected him and made it back to the beach in complete darkness. 

“Along with it being pitch black the crew faced two to three metre-high waves, making this an outstanding rescue effort by them.” 

He said the surfer showed signs of hypothermia and was treated by medical professionals at the beach. 

“The actions of Eagle and the IRB crews in the water unquestionably saved this young man’s life. 

“This was a great example of team work to carry out this rescue, under less-than-ideal conditions in the dark and bad weather.” 

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) said it commended the “exceptional teamwork and quick response” of volunteer lifeguards who carried out a “dramatic” after-hours rescue on the 21-year-old man. Photo / Surf Life Saving New Zealand 

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) said it commended the “exceptional teamwork and quick response” of volunteer lifeguards who carried out a “dramatic” after-hours rescue of the 21-year-old man. 

The man was returned safely to shore, cold and hypothermic, but conscious, where he was given initial treatment by surf lifeguards before being transported by ambulance at 10.30pm. 

He has since been discharged from hospital. 

“Executing an offshore rescue in the dark, after hours, is complex; it takes careful planning, cool heads & exceptional capability. The Piha surf lifeguards once again demonstrated why they are among the best skilled & experienced responders on our coastline,” SLSNZ’s general manager of lifesaving, Andy Kent, said. 

“This rescue shows the strength of collaboration between police and our surf lifeguards. The Eagle helicopter’s spotlight made the difference on a night when visibility was extremely limited. The outcome is a testament to the volunteers’ skill.” 

More to come.