Mr Cameron McCallum
In the early evening of the 16th of January 2018, a husband and wife were caught in a flash rip at Waimarama Beach, in Hawkes Bay.
Sixteen-year old Cameron McCallum and his friends learned that the couple were in distress and rushed into the water. Cameron reached the man, who was struggling to hold his wife. Cameron held the couple and kept them afloat.
Three men saw Cameron with his arm raised above the water. Two of them grabbed a surfboard and paddleboard while the third went to raise the alarm.
When the two men reached Cameron, he was struggling to keep the couple afloat. The woman was pulled onto the surfboard and the man was secured to the paddleboard. The couple was returned to the beach, where CPR was administered to the husband. Unfortunately, he died at the scene.
Cameron was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital.
Cameron McCallum put his life at great risk during this rescue. Had it not been for his actions it is unlikely that the woman would have survived.