Swift responses from emergency services saved a surfer who got into trouble at a Lake Macquarie beach on Tuesday night.
At about 6pm, two 17-year-old boys went surfing at Redhead Beach.
They were separated in a large swell.
One of the teens returned to shore, while the second was heard by witnesses calling for help after losing his surfboard and being swept to sea.
Emergency Services were notified about 6.20pm and officers from Lake Macquarie Police District, along with NSW Ambulance paramedics and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter attended.
Surf Lifesavers were also recalled.
The teen was located floating about 100m from shore and winched aboard the helicopter.
He was returned to the Redhead Beach carpark and treated by paramedics for exhaustion before being taken to John Hunter Hospital as a precaution.
"Had it not been for the swift response of emergency services, we could have had an extremely tragic event here today," Lake Macquarie Police District Inspector Cheryl Day said.
