With a large surf rolling in at 6ft+, Patrol 3 at Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC were already on high alert for any possible rescues that may occur. The beach had been duly closed at the beginning of the day and with the swell not subsiding in the subsequent hours remained closed for the whole day. The patrol had been running several roving patrols over the course of the day paying particularly close attention to swimmers ignoring the beach closed flag and attempting to swim. It was after one of these roving patrols that a paraglider had been noticed in the water near the rocks on the south end of Stanwell Park beach. The patrol quickly sprung into action and began the rescue.
It was unclear at this point the extent of the rescue, the IRB was launched to affect a water rescue as it was believed that the paraglider was in the water near the rocks. As the IRB neared the rocks at the south end, it became evident that a rescue from the water would not be possible. Whilst the paraglider had landed in the water and had cleared the chute, a subsequent wave had washed him and the chute onto the rocks at the south end of the beach, the chute complicating the rescue by wrapping around the lower limbs of the patient.
The paraglider had managed to move into a position on the rock whereby he shielded himself from the approaching waves though 3-4 ft waves reforming close to the beach still were pounding into and over the harbouring rock. Without any knowledge of the approaching waves the paraglider was routinely taking water on his head making it tough to attempt self-rescue and to even breath. Moss and seaweed covered the lower part of the rock making access even more difficult for the approaching patrol members. Submerged rocks on the seaward side also prevented access from the IRB leaving the paraglider in a precarious position
By this stage fellow patrol members had been scaling the cliffs at the south end of the beach to attempt to reach the man trapped on the rocks. First to be within communicating distance with the man was Steve Scullion and Lochleigh Thomson. The man was in quite some distress and panic by this stage at one point yelling out “I can hold on much longer” and “I need a knife”.
Lochleigh scaled down the rocks with a rescue tube to where the paraglider was situated and attempted to remove the strands of nylon that form to hold the chute aloft. He was quickly joined by Nick Lowe who had now returned to the beach after having previously been crewing in the IRB with Ed White driving.
With a pair of scissors in hand from the first aid kit and a knife borrowed from a nearby fisherman the two patrol members began to release the man from the tangle of chute as waves continued to pound in. Fellow patrol members calling on high for approaching waves to alert the rescuers to find shelter. One wave popped up from nowhere surprising Nick and knocking him flat on his back and almost into the water slicing his finger in the process. Shortly after the paraglider had been freed and lead up to higher rocks to regain his composure. Once back on the beach he was handed over to paramedics who patched him up and treated for shock.
Big congratulations to the two patrol members who scaled down the rocks to reach the paraglider. Nick Lowe for his commitment to the rescue charging from the IRB and out onto the rocks showing great bravery in freeing the man. And Lochleigh Thomson, a 16 year old who only became an active lifesaver last season showing experience beyond his years to be part of an integral part of the rescue mission. Support from on high was administered by Steve Scullion calling in the waves and providing the level headed advice required to guide the younger members in the rescue attempt must be highly commended.
The rest of the patrol must also be congratulated on their efforts on the day. With the typical age of most patrolling members rostered on the day being 16-17 years of age, it was a performance more suited to lifesaving veterans of over 10 years. Support on the beach from Courtney Gallahger, Hamilton Reilly, Jayden Curkoski allowed for a smooth rescue in difficult conditions. Big shout out to our 2 pairs of eyes in the patrol observation room Dakota Curkoski and Keehan Reilly who remained in the club house to perform the crucial task of keeping an eye over the rest of the beach whilst the rescue was being performed. Well done Patrol 3 HSPSLSC!
