Dramatic rescue at Cotton Tree as kayaker pulled from water
A KAYAKER has been pulled semi-conscious from the water in the Maroochy River mouth at Cotton Tree.
Rescue crews rushed to the scene about 12.30pm after the kayaker, who was with a friend on a separate kayak, fell into the water and was caught in a rip.
Kite surfer Tristan Heaney, from Noosa, had just arrived at the river mouth when he saw a jet ski slowly circling past the breakers.
He did not realise at the time they were the surf life savers from Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club searching for the man.
Once they located him, he was brought ashore aboard the jetski.
They shouted for Mr Heaney to call an ambulance.
"He was blue in the face when they brought him in. He was spitting out foam and sea water," the 23-year-old said.
"He must have gotten caught in the outgoing tide.
"When we arrived at the beach we saw the jet ski circling slowly, which was odd because usually they're jumping the waves.
"When we got down here there was no one else on the beach. He's lucky that someone must have saw him."
The man was taken to hospital a short time ago.
