An off-duty police officer, along with a local Port Stephens man have been praised for their efforts in rescuing three people who were washed into the ocean at the weekend.
The group, which included an eight-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, were swimming in rock pools at Boat Harbour on Saturday, when they were washed into the ocean.
Onlookers alerting local man Michael Pascoe, who jumped in a small boat and raced to the assistance of the trio.
Off-duty police officer Sergeant Andrew Parker also entered the water, using a rescue board to help pull the mother and her two children into the vessel.
All three were pulled from the water without major injury.
“The heroic efforts of Sergeant Parker and Mr Pascoe in rescuing these three people in dangerous surf conditions should be commended,” said Acting Inspector Christine McDonald.
