Divers in difficulty sparked a marine search and rescue yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to Long Beach, near Purakaunui, following reports divers were in trouble off some rocks, about 4pm.
Grant Walker, of Dunedin, was walking along the beach when a friend of the four divers, who had been watching them on the beach, approached him to call for help.
As he called 111, a male diver got out from the area where they were caught against the rocks ''threw his gear on the ground and then headed back''.
Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield, of Dunedin, said a helicopter with members of the water rescue team was sent to the area, but later stood down.
St John, police and the Fire Service were also called.
