Published on Friday, 22nd May 2020
A woman visiting Port Kembla Beach last Saturday morning had a very close call after being swept off a sand bank and into a rip
A nearby surfer who witnessed the incident alerted a lifeguard at Port Kembla Pool. Two off-duty Wollongong City Council lifeguards who happened to be in the area at the time also joined in the rescue effort. The trio brought the unconscious woman to shore and performed CPR while they waited for emergency services to arrive.
The woman has since been released from hospital.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM extended his gratitude to the lifeguards.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to ocean lifeguard Jeff Rath, and pool lifeguards John Browning and John Baldacchino. Their dedication and professionalism, going above and beyond, has resulted in the woman going home to her family this week.
“With a long weekend just around the corner and rips being the number one hazard on Australian beaches, it’s a timely reminder for beach-goers to swim between the flags, at patrolled beaches only. This way, if you get into trouble, help isn’t far away,” he said.
Surf Life Saving Australia’s Beachsafe website features short video explainers in multiple languages with information on how to spot a rip current and how to survive one.
Visit Council’s website for information on staying safe on our beaches.
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