Perfect honeymoon snap taken split second before wave crashes into newlyweds

THIS is the split second before a honeymooning couple gets thrashed by a massive wave that turns their dream holiday into a nightmare.

THIS is the perfect honeymoon snap — but just seconds later, the newlywed’s trip was in chaos when they were washed onto rocks by a massive wave.

Marelize Dreyer found her leg trapped between rocks as the huge wave wrenched her from her spot, dislocating her ankle and breaking her leg in two places, The Sun reports.

Her husband, Ryan Dreyer, 26, rushed through the water to help her, discovering she could not stand.

The couple’s beautiful day on the beach in South Africa was cut short, and they quickly fashioned a make shift splint for Marelize’s leg from two flip flops.

Newlyweds Ryan and Marelize Dreyer, a second before the wave struck. Picture: Caters News

Instead of lying relaxing by the sea, they then spent two days in hospital, where the 25-year-old had a titanium plate and 12 screws put in her left leg.

Speaking about the moment the accident happened, Ryan said: “We had a bucket list of photos — few photos that we really wanted to get while we were travelling.

“We’re not naive — her family goes to that particular beach town, both of us are aware of the danger, but in this case there was especially large waves form the super spring tide.

A screen grab of Marelize and Ryan on the rock as the wave knocked them off. Picture: Caters News

“At the time we weren’t sure if it was the photo had worked out, but we decided to move across the rocks to a safer location, without a drop.”

Ryan said the couple was concerned about the bigger waves coming but not too worried about making the crossing.

“When we were moving over we felt the first wave hit and that’s where we tried to sit down and get another shot — since we were now in a safer location, with a rock pool nearby, rather than a drop straight into the ocean.

Marelize being carried away from the scene by her friend Gerome with a makeshift splint for her leg. Picture: Caters News

“We saw the next wave coming and tried to get ready for the picture, but the wave just smashed down on top of us.

“Instantly it felt like we were underwater — the wave was really disorientating, we were just sat there and the next second we were underwater.”

With the help of Marelize’s sister Gerda and a nearby tourist, the pair managed to get off the rock safely.

Marelize pictured in hospital on January 3 in Hermanus, South Africa. Picture: Caters News

But they are determined not to let the unlucky incident deter them from their travels.

Instead, they are staying with family while they recover before continuing on to Australia, and are blogging about their adventures.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.