The actions of a member of the public and Police officers saved the life of a young woman who was rescued from the Waikato river early this morning.
At about 1am a member of the public rang Police reporting hearing screams for help coming from the river by River Road, Fairfield, Hamilton.
A number of Police units responded and located a 17 year old woman in the water who was in obvious distress approximately 10 metres from the shore.
One Police officer entered the water and swam to rescue her as she was going under the water. He was able to swim her back to the bank and with the assistance of a further three Police staff that entered the water were able to get her onto the shore.
A fire unit was required to stretcher her from the bank to an Ambulance.
She has been transported to Waikato Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
"At this point in time the circumstances of why or how she came to be in the water is not known, however it is clear that the actions of the member of public in calling us and the attending Police staff have saved this young womans life" said Inspector Tony Wakelin.