On Sunday, 12-year-old Josh McQuiod was swimming in the ocean off the coast of Napier, New Zealand.  

The water became rough and Josh got hit by several big waves . . . and he was in danger of being SWEPT out to sea.         

The waves dragged him more than 500 feet away, and he fought for eight minutes while people tried to reach him.  Josh said it was, quote, "like being in a washing machine" . . . and he was underwater for 20 seconds at a time.      

Finally, police officers and people on the beach were able to form a HUMAN CHAIN more than 13 people long.  They reached Josh, and pulled him safely back to shore.     

He was non-responsive when they got to him, but people gave him first aid on shore and were able to revive him.  He had to go to the hospital, but he's going to be fine.