Three rescued at city beach

Midway Beach. All calm in this file picture but the scene of two rescues yesterday.

GUSTY north-westerly winds and a rip resulted in the rescue of three swimmers in two separate incidents at Midway Beach yesterday.

At 3.30pm, a 12-year-old boy playing in the water east of the patrolled area swam after his ball which was blown further out. The wind and rip swept him into deep water.

“He found himself 200-250 metres offshore in a rip area and couldn’t get back in,” said Midway Surf Life Saving Club president Rocky Hall.

“Other siblings were around but they didn’t seem to have noticed.”

The boy did not signal for help but was spotted by lifeguards.

“The lifeguards on patrol were off like a shot. Blake Brown and Logan Taylor immediately took the IRB to him and brought him back to the beach.”

Because the boy had been in the water for a while, the lifeguards took him to the clubhouse.

“He had been struggling in the water and was hypothermic, and complained of dizziness and a headache,” Mr Hall said.

Quarter of an hour later, at the eastern edge of the patrolled area, an adult and a boy about 10 were swept out of their depth by the strong offshore wind. They signalled for help.

“Two patrol members, Olivia Corrin and Will Pittar, were out on their paddle boards. They went over and supported them and signalled the patrol on shore.”

Mr Brown and Mr Taylor launched the IRB again and brought the swimmers to shore.

Beach-goers needed to be aware of the strong offshore winds that continue to prevail this summer, said Mr Hall. The use of flotation devices in such conditions was particularly dangerous as they were quickly blown further.

The swimmers rescued yesterday were carried out by strong winds and rips.

“I was very impressed with the lifeguards’ vigilance,” Mr Hall said.

“They spotted what was happening and reacted very quickly.”