GEORGE NEWS FLASH - An American tourist, John Carey, got into trouble when his leg rope broke free from his surfboard, and he had to swim ashore through a strong current in Wilderness yesterday afternoon.

According to a spokesperson for to the Wilderness National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) who launched a full rescue operation, "It appears that the man and his wife and a friend, from the USA, all staying at a local back packers, were surfing when the casualty became separated from his surfboard and was then swept out to sea by rip currents.

"The man was able to get back to shore where bystanders, his wife and friend waded in to help him onto the beach where, although initially unconscious, he began to recover and he was semi-conscious when NSRI and ER arrived. Following oxygen therapy the man’s health continually strengthened.

"In a stable condition, the man continued to be treated by paramedics en route to George Hospital where he will be monitored by hospital staff for secondary drowning before being released.