Police Airwing winch three men to safety at Rye beach

Fast-acting police have saved the lives of three male fishermen after they were swept from rocks at a Rye beach today.

It is believed the men were fishing on rocks near Harold Road when they were swept into the water about 12.10pm.

A nearby passer-by noticed the men struggling in the water and alerted emergency services who arrived on scene shortly after.

Police Airwing searched the area for a short time before locating the three men with the assistance of local Mornington police.

Police managed to winch two of the men to safety before attending to the third man struggling the surf about 500m away.

A quick-thinking Somerville Highway Patrol officer dived into the surf and rescued the man by pulling him to shore.

He was then winched to safety by the Airwing.

The Lilydale men, aged 47, and 44 and 36-years-old were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

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