The drunken dunk of a fully clothed man in Mission Bay at about 8.30 last night could have ended tragically had it not been for the actions of Police in the air, two officers on the ground and a local man in his tender on the water.
Glendowie resident Craig Koning was in his tender looking for his Go Pro Hero 3 that he’d lost earlier in the day, when his attention was drawn to the plight of the drowning intoxicated man and the Police who were trying to get to him.
Police helicopter Eagle had identified the man was about 100m offshore and struggling to stay above water. Two officers on the beach were wondering how they might reach the man whose capabilities were impaired when Mr Koning offered the use of his small vessel. Constables Ben Pye and Darren Olliver crammed into the tender alongside Mr Koning and, with the aid of Eagle above and their own torch lights, they found the floundering man, squeezed him into the tender and returned to shore where other Police staff were waiting to assist.
The man was carried to a waiting vehicle and taken to hospital for observation.
The Go Pro Hero 3 is still missing although its owner Mr Koning could legitimately claim the 'hero' title himself for his assistance last night. The constables are ordering new boots as theirs suffered a bit of water damage.
Acting Eastern Area Commander Inspector Vaughn Graham said it was sheer luck Mr Koning was able to assist the officers and the fully clothed dipper in the way he did.
"So here's hoping his good turn results in the Go Pro being found and returned to him."
ENDS