Father and two children rescued from West Auckland beach, one in serious condition

A father and two children ran into trouble at Karioitahi beach in West Auckland on Saturday afternoon.

Although initially in a critical condition, Stuff understands the father is now in a serious condition and has been taken to Middlemore hospital.

The two children he was swimming with have been taken to Middlemore’s children’s unit in moderate conditions.

A spokesperson for Karioitahi Surf Club said a senior lifeguard who had a rescue tube in his car responded to a callout from emergency services.

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A group of four were caught in a rip. Two were able to make it to shore and reported seeing another member of their group submerge underwater and not resurface.

Surf lifesavers launched an inflatable rescue boat and successfully brought the remaining two swimmers to shore.

The spokesperson said that surf lifesavers had already finished their patrol for the evening when they received the callout. There were also no flags at the beach on Saturday because Safeswim had deemed the water quality unsafe.

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Police confirmed they received a report of a group in trouble in the water about 5.40pm. By 6.30pm everyone was out of the water, they said.

St John Ambulance confirmed they treated three patients at the beach near Waiuku, south of Auckland.

Two ambulances were on scene at 6.30pm, and both the police Eagle helicopter and Westpac Rescue Helicopter responded.

Auckland Council has warned against swimming at Auckland beaches during Waitangi Day weekend following floods which may have contaminated water with waste or debris.