12 year old Joshua McQuoid's splash on Napier’s Marine Parade nearly cost him his life. The Napier Intermediate student had been playing with a friend by the water’s edge when they were caught by a wave and swept out. The boy’s friend was able to make it to safety and raise the alarm but the boy was pushed out to sea.  

Rescue attempts were then made led by a German tourist, two Police officers and a few members of the public. None of the rescuers were able to maintain a hold on the boy due to the heavy surf and at times the boy was submerged for considerable periods.

One of the Police officer’s then came up with the idea of forming a human chain and the rescuers were able to pull the boy to safety.

Once on shore the boy was unresponsive, physically spent, and could not move unaided. He was moved up onto the beach where members of the public rendered first aid to him.

The first two officers, who by this stage were also exhausted by the surf, were also assisted to shore. 

Members of the public and other police staff went to the aid of the first officers.

The 12 year old boy was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital by ambulance but has since being discharged. 

Hawke's Bay Police praise the heroism displayed by both the first two officers and the members of the public. The 12 year old boy's condition when he came out of the water indicated that a tragedy was narrowly averted.  

Napier’s Marine Parade Beach is notorious for its dangerous surging shore break which and has caught many unaware. The conditions at the time were treacherous with dumping waves and an extremely strong undertow.

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