Australia Day Rescue

Published: February 03, 2023 Last Updated: February 03, 2023

Dispatching a roving patrol to Stumers Creek during a shark sighting emergency on a busy Australia Day has saved the life of an Irish tourist.

Patrol 05 already had their hands full mid-morning with big numbers between the flags, when a WaveRunner patrol spotted a 1.5m shark near the Coolum North patrol area shortly before 10am.

After the patrol sounded the alarm and cleared the water, team members Karen L and Lachlan N were tasked to head up the beach towards Stumers to warn swimmers and beachgoers of the shark alert. On arrival at Stumers, the clubbies radioed in there were two swimmers in trouble. 

The patrol IRB manned by driver Gordon W and crewie Lee F, who were part of the shark watch sweeps, were sent to assist - as Lachlan went into rescue mode.

One of the swimmers managed to make it back to shore, but a second was 100m out off the creek entrance and floundering badly. Lachlan quickly paddled out and picked the grateful Irish visitor up before he swallowed any water.

The IRB arrived in time ready to assist, but was not needed. Gordon said Lachlan already had the situation under control and in his words "the young fella did a great job". 

Karen reckons had they not been on the spot, this notorious drowning black spot almost certainly would have claimed another victim. 

A good team response all around!