A seven-year-old boy, along with a man who tried to save him, both had to be rescued by a lifeguard jetski.
The youngster got into difficulties off the beach in New Brighton yesterday lunchtime, and a man on the beach noticed the boy and plunged into the water himself to try and pull him to safety.
Both were safely brought to the shore and the hero rescuer who first came to the boy's aid was applauded by people on the beach who were enjoying the Easter sunshine.
Trevor Green, who witnessed the rescue, said: "It happened just as the tide was almost in around 12.30pm.
"From what we were told a boy was out in the water and in trouble.
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"A man on the beach who was not related went into the water to save him, all we saw was the jetski returning with both on board.
"The man was taken off the float aid and was completely exhausted and needed to be helped by two others, the boy seemed to be better.
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"Both were taken from the RNLI centre on the shore, the crowd were clapping the man who saved the boy as he came off the beach."
A spokesperson for Liverpool Coastguard said: "We had a call from New Brighton RNLI lifeguard that they had pulled a child out of the water, and an adult who had got in to save him and needed help himself.
"An ambulance and rapid response vehicle were on the scene quite quickly to treat the casualties. The child was taken to hospital but was not believed to be seriously injured."
