Two close calls as island swelters

Police Airwing was called to assist two incidents at Phillip Island beaches this afternoon, as temperatures soared.

Police said around 1.20pm a group of students and teachers were taking part in a stand up paddle board lesson at Kitty Miller Bay when strong winds pushed one student towards the ocean.

Local Graeme Burgan, a keen surfer and former ranger witnessed the event.

“A student on a board had blown to the left hand entrance of Kitty Miller Bay, about 300 metres out and was heading for the open ocean,” Graeme said.

"The wind was so strong he couldn’t paddle back. He went to the rocks and was stranded on them and couldn’t get back to the main beach.”

Two ground units and the police helicopter attended.

The student was able to scramble onto the rocks and was then helped back to shore by the paddleboard instructors.

An hour later, over at Smiths Beach, a family of three were playing in an inflatable ring when it was swept out to sea.

The Air Wing was again called to assist.

The male (36), female (32) and a three year old child all ended up in the water, but were brought safely back to shore by other people at the beach.

Ambulance Victoria attended and checked all three, but no further attention was needed.

Local police said in both cases the Airwing was not needed for the final rescue, but provided observation support for those on the ground.