An off-duty police officer is being hailed as a hero after he dove into rough, wind-swept seas to rescue a mother and her young daughter who were being dragged away from shore on an inflatable canoe.
The dramatic rescue took place at a beach near the town of Aliveri on the island of Evia, as strong winds created dangerous currents along the coast.
The officer, identified by local media only by his initials, G.M., was at a nearby beach with his own family when he heard cries for help and saw the small inflatable drifting rapidly out to sea.
“I didn’t stop to think. I just jumped in,” the 44-year-old officer told the local news outlet evima.gr.
He described a difficult struggle against a powerful current that nearly pulled him under as well.
“The speed at which they were being dragged away was unbelievable,” he said. “Halfway there, I started getting pulled myself. I took a breath and told myself I had to reach them.”
After several tense minutes, the officer managed to reach the inflatable, where the mother and child were clinging to the craft, shaken but unharmed.
He then fought against the wind and tide to bring them safely back to shore.
The incident was one of several weather-related emergencies across Greece over the weekend, as high winds and choppy seas disrupted ferry services and prompted safety warnings from authorities.
The police union in Evia later issued a statement commending the officer for his courage.