Police said a 31-year-old Taupo man waded then tried to swim across the river near the Huka Falls, close to Taupo about 3pm yesterday.
The man, who police say had been drinking heavily, was fully clothed, wearing jeans, a bush shirt and shoes.
Another member of the public, who had been bathing in popular thermal hot pools nearby saw the man being swept downstream, and dragged him to shore. Other passers-by helped him pull the man from the river.
"The actions of these people undoubtedly saved the life of the male. Police would like to publicly thank them for their selfless acts," Taupo Sergeant Greg Watson said.
An Irish tourist drowned last November in the river, close to the scene of yesterday's rescue.
NZPA
source: newshub archive
