Qld: 70yo swimmer owes life to chance rescue: lifesavers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2006
Qld: 70yo swimmer owes life to chance rescue: lifesavers

By Jessica Marszalek

BRISBANE, Dec 30 AAP - An elderly man has been rescued at a Queensland beach by a lifesaver
who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

The 70-year-old man was dragged from the water unconscious at Mudjimba Beach on the
Sunshine Coast by lifesaver Gavin Brown at about 7.45am (AEST) today.

Mr Brown, 21, said he noticed a boogie board floating out to sea 70 metres outside
a flagged area and went to investigate.

"When I got closer, I saw there was someone attached to the boogie board, I called
out but got no response," Mr Brown said.

"You try not to think worst case scenario but when I got closer and reached out I saw
he was not breathing."

Mr Brown dragged the man onto a sled at the rear of his craft where he regurgitated
water and regained consciousness.

He was given oxygen on the shore and taken by ambulance to Nambour Hospital.

Sunshine Coast duty officer Dave McLean said had Mr Brown not been at the right place
at the right time, the man would have died.

"Had the RWC (rescue water craft) not been conducting routine patrols, the man most
likely would have drowned," he said.

"It is also a reminder that the safest place for people visiting the beach is between
the red and yellow flags."

South-east Queensland beaches were quieter over the past week due to record cool weather,
but lifesavers have reported swelling crowds as the weather improves for the new year.

Lifesavers have appealed to swimmers not to let crowds discourage them from using the
flagged areas.

AAP jmm/apm/de

KEYWORD: RESCUE

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.