A 60-year-old man from Poland who was swept out at sea while out swimming at the White Sands Beach Resort in Fo’ui yesterday, was rescued by a local fishing boat in the area.

A Marine SAR Operation was launched late afternoon on Sunday, October 1 by Chief Inspector Sofilisi Fifita, Nukunuku District Commander, after receiving a call for assistance from the resort, at 5:00pm.

Fifita went out on a boat from Ha’atafu and when they got to the site where the distressed tourist was, another local boat that was in the area had already pulled him on board. 

He was taken to land and rushed to hospital where he was confirmed to be fine, and discharged.

In the meantime, a Police Rescue Boat which had also made its way to the rescue, also turned around when they learned the rescue had been made.

The tourist who stayed at the resort had gone for a swim when he got swept out to open sea.