Ocean rescue drama

A MAN has been taken to hospital after being rescued by lifeguards when he took in water at a Gold Coast beach.

The man, 25, was swimming at Northcliffe Beach yesterday when Gold Coast City Council lifeguards noticed him being dumped in the water at the shore break around 11am.

It is believed the man took in a lot of water before lifeguards helped him to shore.

“They treated him on site,” Lifeguard superintendent Chris Maynard said, adding they put oxygen on the man before calling an ambulance.

Ricky Arnold of the Bicycle Response Team said they arrived within three minutes.

“He never actually lost consciousness at all, but he did have breathing difficulties and was just in a state of shock,” Mr Arnold said. He was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.