Three surfers are being praised for pulling to safety a group of children swept out to sea in a rip in the Bay of Plenty.

The four siblings were knocked over by a wave at Mount Maunganui yesterday afternoon around three. A surfer spotted them immediately and managed to get two of the children ashore, with the eldest managing to safely swim to stable ground.

Sergeant Craig Madden says one of the boys had gone missing and was found well offshore. He says they could only just see his face above the water when rescuers arrived and he was struggling to stay afloat.

Sergeant Madden says it is likely they would be dealing with another drowning if it were not for the actions of the three local men.

All four children were taken to an Accident and Medical centre for treatment.

– NewstalkZB

– Homepage image — File, Mt Maunganui at sunrise, Taylor Shea