A group of 16-year-old volunteer lifesavers have prevented a tragedy on the waters around South Beach in Wollongong this morning.
Members of the public ran to Wollongong City Surf Life Saving Club to alert off duty lifesavers of the incident, who were all finishing up training at the time.
“A female lifesaver, aged 16, grabbed a lifesaving rescue tube and swam 120 metres out to sea keeping the male afloat and provided reassurance to the male in the water, while another male lifesaver aged 16 paddled out with a rescue board to retrieve the exhausted male from the water to shore safely,” Surf Life Saving Illawarra said.
“Meanwhile another quick-thinking female lifesaver aged 16 provided first aid to the male on the beach, prior to New South Wales Paramedics arrival. He was transported to hospital for further medical observation
“The second swimmer was able to swim ashore safely himself.
“Today’s incident highlights the importance of only swimming at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags.
“Well done to the young volunteer lifesavers in providing a quick response and rescue of the male this morning in tricky surf conditions.”
