Marengo hero hauled three men to shore in beach tragedy

A heroic woman who hauled three men to shore in a drowning tragedy on Sunday has described the beach where it happened as “dangerous”.

A brave swimmer who pulled three unconscious men from the surf near Apollo Bay on Sunday says she “didn’t think twice” before jumping into the water to try and save the trio.

A group of four men in their early 20s, believed to be Indian nationals from Tarneit, were in the water at Marengo Beach when three of them found themselves in trouble on Sunday.

Witnesses performed CPR on a 26-year-old man but he died at the scene.

A 23-year-old man was taken to the Alfred, where he remains in a critical condition.

A 24-year-old man was taken to Geelong hospital and was in a stable condition.

Brianna Hurst, from Cheltenham, was enjoying the sunshine when a man ran from the water calling for help just after 1pm.

Brianna Hurst ran into the water to help the trio. Picture: Brad Fleet

“I saw them go into the water, then one of them ran back onto the shore and called for help,” Ms Hurst said.

The 33-year-old said “instinct kicked in” when she ran into the waves to help.

Ms Hurst, who described herself as a strong swimmer, said the men were floating unconscious and face down in the water about 20m from the shore.

She brought one man, who was closest to the shore, back to the sand before swimming out again to save the other two men.

Marengo Beach, near Apollo Bay, where one person drowned and two were rescued. Picture: Brad Fleet

“It was pretty difficult, they were much bigger than me,” Ms Hurst said.

“A lot of other people came and were helping.

“A few were doing CPR until the paramedics arrived.

“I just jumped into action without thinking about what I was doing and did everything I could have done to help them.”

Ms Hurst, who has a holiday house in Apollo Bay and was at the beach by herself on Sunday, frequently visits Marengo Beach.

“I definitely wouldn’t recommend anyone who isn’t a confident swimmer to swim there,” she said.

“I would classify it as a dangerous beach.

Hero Brianna Hurst joins Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Bull, Life Saving Victoria’s Paul Shannon, and paramedic Jo O'Connor Ward. Picture: Brad Fleet

“It’s flat and then drops off and if you don’t realise, you can get into trouble.”

Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Bull, from Colac police, described Ms Hurst’s act as “heroic”.

“She put herself in extreme danger to rescue three people she didn’t know,” he said.

“There is no other word I would use other than heroic.”

Sergeant Bull said investigators would speak to the fourth man in the coming days to determine what happened before tragedy struck.

Surf Life Saving Victoria executive adviser Paul Shannon said it has been a tragic summer.

In January, four people died after drowning at Phillip Island.

There have been 38 drowning deaths in Victoria since July last year, including 27 this summer since December 1.

Mr Shannon said it was important for swimmers to know their capabilities.

“People and tourists come down to the beach and everyone is excited but you need to stop and think about the conditions,” he said.

“It can be as simple as someone who can’t swim, losing their footing and panicking.”

Ms Hurst said she was happy to have been able to help the trio.

“I hate to think what would have happened if someone was there who isn’t as confident swimming as I am,” she said.

“It feels like I did what anyone else would do.”

Originally published as Marengo hero hauled three men to shore in beach tragedy