Media Release
12 January 2007

Climatech Regional Lifeguard Service rescue five people at Muriwai and four at Piha yesterday

On average Muriwai does one to two rescues each day, however yesterday, 11 January 2007, saw the Climatech Regional Lifeguards at Muriwai kept busy with five people needing rescuing.

Surf Life Saving Northern Region Spokesperson Andy Kent says that four of the five rescued at Muriwai were not swimming between the flags.

“If I could get just one message across to beachgoers this summer it would be swim between the flags”, said Mr Kent.

As well as the five rescues, lifeguards attended to three male swimmers that had gotten into difficulty nearly 2km away from the patrolled area. The males, aged between 14 and 25, made it to shore but required assistance as they had all swallowed water. The youngest male was also suffering breathing difficulties and a decreased level of consciousness and was transported to hospital by ambulance.

Piha Climatech Regional Lifeguards also had a busy day with lots of preventative actions as well as rescuing three surfers and a body boarder.

Mr Kent said the body boarder was not swimming between the flags or wearing fins – which is strongly recommended by surf lifeguards.

Yesterday Surf Life Saving Northern Region Climatech Regional Lifeguards did 658 preventative actions, 11 rescues (including five at Muriwai and four at Piha) and seven first aids.

ENDS

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