"I'm swimming out – I may not be back". Credits: Newshub
When 14-year-old Kalya Garmage’s younger brother Kithmi was swept 60 metres out to sea he realised he was the only one around who could save him.
But with three-metre waves and freezing waters, he also realised the risk, telling his mother: "I’m swimming out – I may not be back."
Returning to the beach was a terrifying task for Kalya and Kithmi, for what should’ve been a playful weekend trip turned into a near-death experience.
"A wave come and he fall down, yah, then another wave come. He washed away to the sea," said Kalya.
Otago’s south coast is beautiful, but it can also be incredibly dangerous, local farmer Tony McDonnell knows.
"Estimate they’ve [the waves] gotta be about three metres high. And they were coming in and just crashing straight down on the sand."
The drop-off from the beach is sudden and deep, right where the boys were playing when the rogue wave caught them by surprise.
"My brother come in and save me," said Kithmi.
A rescue helicopter was called but Kalya acted immediately.
"He grabbed my shoulder and shirt then we swim to beach."
The fourteen-year-old is more than qualified, he was a schoolboy swimming champion in Sri Lanka.
For mum and dad it was still a traumatic ordeal.
"Very very worried, I never think. Emotional."
The brothers, their sister and their mother had only made it to New Zealand six weeks ago.
They were reunited with dad Daminda who has been working as a farm hand around the country for four years, waiting for his family to be allowed to move here and be with him.
The actions of his oldest boy are the reason the family is still together.
"Knowing he was putting his life at risk, he is nothing short of a hero," said McDonnell.
It’s not a decision that Kalya is comfortable with, but after his brave actions saved the life of his younger brother, it seems more than appropriate.