Dramatic rescue of kayaker at deadly Grey River bar

Jethro Nicholson feels afraid when he crosses the deadly Grey River Bar in an 18 metre fishing boat. This afternoon, he - inadvertently - took on its power in a 1.5m kayak.

It nearly ended his life.

Dramatic footage posted online tonight showed the 22-year-old Nelson man fighting for his life after a decision to take his kayak onto the Grey River almost ended in tragedy.

In the footage, filmed by Greymouth artist Brian Hunter, Mr Nicholson is shown calling for help as his kayak gets within about 10 metres of the bar next to the Southern Breakwater Viewing Platform.

Soon after he makes the decision to jump out of his kayak, but a wave prevents a friend pulling him to safety. Several harrowing minutes follow after the commercial fisherman - clad in trousers, merino jersey, coat and an uninflated lifejacket - fights for his life as waves surge over him.

Mr Nicholson was eventually pulled to safety when two friends and a passerby threw him a life ring, and hauled him to shore. Exhausted, he gasped for breath as one of his rescuers dragged his body to safety.

Tonight, Mr Nicholson told the New Zealand Herald he hoped others would learn from his "dumb arse" mistake.

"What started off as a good idea turned into a very bad idea."

After entering the water at the Port of Greymouth, about 1.5 kilometres from the bar, he saw a mate downstream.

"I got a bit close obviously ... I basically got into a s*** spot and ran out of energy."

Realising he would eventually end up at the bar, where death was certain, he made the decision to bail from his kayak. But a wave washed him away from a friend's outstretched arms.

Unable to reach the tag of his manually-inflatable lifejacket, and choking at his jersey and coat pressed against his neck, waves pounded Mr Nicholson under the water several times.

He thought he was "a goner" until his two friends and bystander dragged him to safety using a life ring, he said.

On shore, but exhausted, Mr Nicholson could barely move.

"I had absolutely nothing left. They definitely put themselves at risk. What can I say? They saved my life today. I'm grateful."

His temperature had dropped to 32C so he was taken to Greymouth Base Hospital to warm up and check for water inhalation, but released a few hours later and acknowledged his good fortune with a beer.

He also had footage of the incident, filmed from a Go Pro camera attached to his helmet, but had only watched snippets, he said.

"I already watched it happen."

Despite the experience, he would probably tackle the river again, but not until he had become more skilled in a new kayak, and not anywhere near the bar.
"A bit more practice and I'll be back."

The Grey River's infamous sandbar has claimed at least nine lives and destroyed many boats in the West Coast town's history.