A couple in Bay of Plenty are still reeling after a scary experience on Omokoroa Beach yesterday.
Ian Jacobs, Cheryl Friedland and their dog Fizz were enjoying a weekend stroll when Ms Friedland and Fizz sank waist-deep into mud.
"The surface looked like compacted sand," says 51-year-old Ms Friedland.
But before she knew it, Ms Friedland says she had slipped into the mud and was calling for help from her 61-year-old partner.
"It all happened in a matter of 20-30 seconds," she says. "Ian had to lay down flat on the mud and he then pulled me up and across."
The couple then realised the dog had also slipped into the mud and needed to be saved.
"I turned around and pulled Fizz' collar. He was swimming in the mud," says Ms Friedland.
The couple say they are "gobsmacked" by the experience and are now urging others to take care when walking in similar situations.
"Afterwards Ian said he didn't think he would have been able to pull me out," says Ms Friedland.
The council has cordoned off the area while investigations are taking place.
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