Female lifeguard forced to lock herself in tower after beachgoer abuse

A lifeguard has had to take drastic action as police were called to respond to an abusive beachgoer who refused to take safety advice. The incident occurred as beaches north of Cairns remain closed due to stingers.

A Cairns lifeguard was forced to lock herself in a tower after a beachgoer threatened her, amid other reports of people abusing lifesavers for simply doing their jobs.

North Queensland regional lifeguard supervisor Jay March confirmed the incident occurred at Yorkeys Knob Beach and police were called to move the man on.

Sadly he also said that it is not uncommon for lifeguards to cop abuse from people in the community.

“People get a bit snarly at times when they don’t like getting told what to do unfortunately,”, Mr March said.

“Most people realise its part of our jobs regulating council by-laws, but every now and then you get the odd one.

“This particular bloke had been drinking and we did call the police which unfortunately we do need to do from time to time.”

Mr March called on people to be respectful of lifeguards who are their doing their jobs keeping people safe and said enforcing local council by-laws is part of that work.

Surf Lifesaving Australia Lifeguard Amandine Fertel on duty at Holloways Beach on Wednesday afternoon. Picture Emily Barker.

“It’s a pretty hard job at times and we are just trying to do our job and keep everyone as safe as we can,” he said.

“A lot of the issues we have are with dogs unfortunately, the dogs aren’t allowed inside the nets and there is plenty of beach for them otherwise.

“It is another by law that we need to enforce to keep everyone safe, its all about being fair to everyone.”

A number of beaches north of Cairns remain closed after six people presented to hospital with suspected Irukandji stings on Sunday afternoon including a young boy who was stung on his back.

Irukandji jellyfish spotted at Palm Cove. Picture: Supplied

Mr March confirmed that Palm Cove, Clifton Beach and Kewarra beaches remain closed, while Ellis Beach has been opened on a high risk and Trinity Beach was likely to follow, depending on how stinger drags went in the morning.

Surf Life Saving Australia regional operations manager Jennifer Rees recommended swimming in a full stinger suit even when within the enclosure, as the tiny Irukandji travel through the nets.

Ms Rees said it was important for people to follow advice from the life savers on duty.

“People need to make sure the only place they are swimming is within the swimming enclosures, once they have spoken to the lifeguards and read the signage,” she said.

Ms Rees also confirmed lifeguards who are there to protect beach goers are also receiving abuse from those they are trying to keep safe as they advise them to use the enclosed swimming area.

“Our lifeguards are doing their jobs either advising swimmers to swim in the sting enclosures and not swim in the open ocean due to the risk and they have had a combination of locals and tourists who’ve not co-operated and been quiet rude.”

Originally published as Female lifeguard forced to lock herself in tower after beachgoer abuse