Former cop rescues swimmer

A FORMER Victorian police officer has risked his life to rescue a woman struggling in rough surf.

Matthew Paynter was at the Brighton Baths Health club in Melbourne’s southeast yesterday when he heard a woman was caught in waves about half a kilometre from shore.

He dived into the ocean and brought her to the shallows, where another man, Andrew Krzywniak, helped the pair out of the water.

Victoria Police said conditions were ‘‘extremely rough’’ but Mr Paynter did not hesitate to rescue the woman.

Water Police Senior Constable Patrick Yeung said the situation would have ended tragically if not for the men.