Video: ‘Human chain’ saves boy, 12, from drowning

A 12-year-old boy was saved by passers-by after they formed a ‘human chain’ to pull him out of strong waves off Napier’s Marine Parade in New Zealand.

• Boy, 12, saved from drowning by passers-by who formed human chain

• Joshua McQuaid was playing in waters when he was swept out to sea

Joshua McQuoid was swept out to sea yesterday as he played on the shore, and struggled to reach the shore.

Heavy waves pushed the boy underwater, with conditions described as “treacherous with dumping waves and an extremely strong undertow”.

Joshua’s friend, Hikiroa Rapatu, alerted beach-goers and police to the incident. A German tourist was first on the scene, but was unable to pull the boy out of the water.

Members of the public and police then joined in the rescue effort by joining hands and forming a chain from the sea to the beach, and combined to heave the boy out of the water.

The boy was said to be unresponsive and barely conscious upon rescue.

He was then sent to Hawke’s Bay Hospital, but was later discharged.

Shane McQuoid, the boy’s father, paid tribute to the 12 people who came together to save Joshua.

“I’m just so thankful for all the people that were there and the police officers, because if they hadn’t have gone in our son wouldn’t be here today,” he said.