Whakatane rescue sees lifesaver win national award

BP central retail area co-ordinator Bonnie Howes (left) lifeguard Kate O'Malley, BP central area manager Alan Price and Westshore Club captain Brian Quirk. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

The rescue of four teenagers at an unpatrolled Whakatane beach has won a national surf lifesaving award.

Westshore lifeguard Kate O'Malley was on holiday in Whakatane on December 28 when a woman ran into the campground screaming for help, as some children were caught in a rip at Ohiwa Beach.

Ms O'Malley immediately responded and ran 150-200 metres to the unpatrolled beach and entered the rip without any lifesaving equipment. The surf was heavy at around 1.5 to two metres and the rip was very strong.

When Kate got out in to the surf, she found four teenagers dispersed over a wide area. She calmed them all down and then took the two most serious patients and towed them back to the shore.

Once on the beach, the patient's parents took over their care and, on Kate's instruction, placed them in the recovery position. She then re-entered the rip to rescue the other two patients.

On returning to shore, Kate continued care of all four patients who had inhaled water and were in shock.

The ambulance arrived within five minutes and transported two of the patients to hospital for observation.

Each month, Surf Life Saving New Zealand selects a winning rescue from each region as well as an overall national winner for the title of BP Rescue of the Month. Ms O'Malley won the Central Region BP Rescue of the Month award for December as well as being the overall national winner.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand chairman Geoff Hamilton says the extraordinary efforts shown by the Lifeguards was outstanding.

"Admiration of the skill and professionalism shown by those involved in the incident is testament to qualities valued by Surf Life Saving New Zealand and BP," he said.

The club receives a $500 fuel voucher from BP to help with the financial costs of keeping communities safe in the water.

"BP's partnership with Surf Life Saving New Zealand is heading towards 50 years and their constant delivery of excellence has been a factor in all of those years- it is truly inspirational," BP managing director Matt Elliott said.

For more information about BP Rescue of the Month visit www.surflifesaving.org.nz/lifeguarding/rescue-of-the-month