A visitor from Sydney owes his life to the quick actions of lifeguards, surf lifesavers and on-lookers after he was pulled from the surf in a just conscious state at an unpatrolled area of Diamond Beach on Saturday, January 16.
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The 35-year-old was swimming about two kilometres north of the red and yellow flags when he got caught in a rip about 20-25 metres from the shore at the now notoriously dangerous beach.
During the past 10 months there have been two drownings at Diamond Beach.
When Australian Lifeguard Service lifeguards, 17-year-old Lucas Klostorhoof and 18-year-old Callum Boag arrived at the scene, following an exhausting 10 minute sprint up the beach, the man had been assisted from the surf.
Callum believed the man had been struggling in the water for about 17 minutes before he was rescued in knee deep water by his brother and placed in the recovery position.
Initially when the call came through on the Surfcom just after 2pm, the lifesavers were under the impression the man was still in the water.
"We were asked to assist with oxygen and a defibrillator" Lucas said
"But, when we arrived he was just conscious and vomiting up a lot of water which is a good sign he was getting the water out of his system."
The man was given oxygen and kept in a stable condition until ambulance paramedics arrived, assessed and transported to Manning Base Hospital for further treatment.
"He was well enough to walk to the ambulance," Lucas said.
Saturday's near drowning was the second time in three years Lucas had been required to use his surf lifesaving skills.
RELATED: Man drowns at Diamond Beach
Back in 2018 Lucas and Aimee Carlin pulled a man from surf at Tuncurry after he got caught in a rip.
Lucas said it was good to know he could help someone, and know they were okay.
On both occasions Lucas said he worked with his co-rescuers as a team.
Nearing completion of his first season as a paid lifesaver, Lucas has been volunteering and a member of the Blackhead Surf Lifesaving Club since he was 13-years as a nipper.
However, he is stepping away from the club this season to concentrate on open water swimming, competing in events between five and 10 kilometres long.
A Year 12 student and school captain at Taree High, Lucas would like to study engineering - hopefully at the University of NSW.
Fellow rescuer, Callum - also a member of the Blackhead surf club - had been a paid life saver for a second successive year.
Callum admitted he was a little nervous when the call came through for help.
Diamond is a pretty dangerous beach, it can get up to 4-5 rips a day.
- Callum Boag
But, his anxiety quickly disappeared: "This is what I am paid to do; someone was in danger.
"Diamond is a pretty dangerous beach, it can get up to 4-5 rips a day."
"I was definitely relieved he was okay; there have been a couple of deaths at that beach," Callum said.
Callum, who completed his secondary education at Great Lakes College Tuncurry campus last year, began his carpentry apprenticeship earlier this week
Paid lifesavers finish their season on January 26
Surf Life Saving NSW Lower North Coast branch director of lifesaving, Nathan De Rooy, said the man was lucky Diamond Beach lifeguards could assist.
"Today saw a very quick response from lifeguards who ran nearly two kilometres up the beach to rescue the man from the water, where he was swimming outside of the flags and struggling to stay afloat," he said.
Black Head SLSC patrol also sent four members to support; two to look after the flagged area of Diamond Beach, and two to assist the lifeguards.
"Diamond Beach is notorious for drownings, we've had quite a few drownings here in the past year alone - if you're not an experienced swimmer, or familiar with the surf, it can be extremely dangerous," Mr De Rooy said.
"The incident today, thankfully, wasn't fatal but it serves as a good reminder to always swim at a patrolled beach and in between the red and yellow flags.
"I would like to commend the efforts of our young lifeguards today, and to all the lifeguards and volunteers patrolling up and down the NSW coast helping keep our beaches safe."
There have been two fatal drownings at Diamond Beach in the past year. Surf Life Saving NSW advises anyone entering the water to do so at a patrolled beach, and swim in between the red and yellow flags.
Since 1 July 2020, 19 people have drowned on the NSW coastline.
During the 2019-20 season, 49 people drowned on the NSW coastline.
Beach Safety Tips
- Always swim between the red and yellow patrol flags, for your nearest patrolled beach check the BeachSafe app or website
- Read the safety signs for information about the beach and ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for safety information
- Always swim with someone else so you can look out for each other, and always supervise children around the water
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- If you need help in the water, stay calm and attract attention by raising one arm
- In an emergency, dial Triple Zero
For information about patrol times, weather, and beach locations visit the Beachsafe Website or Download the App.
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Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
