Two girls, both 12, were playing in Dandenong Park about noon when they fell into the creek while looking for fish. They were swept along the creek towards Lonsdale Street.

By the time Warren Tyson was on the scene, one of the girls had scrambled to safety and was trying to pull her friend out with the aid of a stick.

Mr Tyson said he grabbed the stick and told the girl in the creek to grab hold of it.

"It was lucky she made it on the first attempt as she was going under - she was in big trouble and couldn't find her feet - she was drowning.

"After I pulled her and placed her in the recovery position she spewed out a fair bit of water.''

Mr Tyson said the girl had been "very lucky'' not to be swept further along the creek.

"If she'd gone another 200metres to Hammond Road, where it drops down about 2.4metres, she would have been in real trouble as that's where there are pipes and drains.''

Both girls were returned to their parents after being assessed by paramedics.

Acting Sergeant Edwina Neale of Dandenong police said Mr Tyson had saved the girl's life and she was "a very lucky girl''.

Acting Sergeant Neale said the incident was a reminder for children not to play anywhere near the creek or any waterways.