Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) can confirm that surf lifeguards responded to an incident at Piha earlier today (21 May 2025).

At 10:50am, an off-duty surf lifeguard walking on the beach noticed a member of public concerned about swimmer in distress. SAR was immediately activated, and the initial lifeguard was soon joined by a further off-duty lifeguard. Lifeguards immediately responded by launching an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) and rescuing a 26-year-old male patient from the water. The patient – who was losing consciousness – was then returned to the beach, where an initial assessment was performed.

On land, SAR arrived and initially assisted lifeguards with the patient, and later prepared a landing space for Westpac Rescue Helicopter on the beach. Lifeguards and SAR handed over the patient to Westpac Rescue Helicopter at 11:15am, with the patient being transported to hospital.

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