Bondi Beach rescue: Teens rushed to hospital after being pulled from surf

TWO Indonesian teenagers were rushed to hospital with one in a serious condition as a group of 30 from an overseas school was hit by a freak wave at Bondi Beach.

A TEENAGE boy was last night in a serious condition and another rushed to hospital after a group of international students were caught in a rip at Bondi Beach early yesterday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to Bondi Beach just before 12.30pm following reports several youths from Indonesia were seen struggling in the water.

Bondi lifeguards rescued the group of boys, dragging them from the water before providing CPR on one of the teens. Paramedics took over once they arrived at the scene moments later.

Two Indonesian boys, both aged 16, were rescued at Bondi. Picture: Splash

The duo were loaded into separate beach buggies before being transported into the ambulance.

One of the boys was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital where he remains in a serious condition while the other was taken to Prince of Wales Children’s Hospital where his condition is unknown.

Five other teens were treated by paramedics after it was reported they went out to rescue the two 16-year-old friends who were frantically waving after getting caught in the rip. They were transported to Prince of Wales Hospital as a precaution.

Both teens were taken by beach buggies to the ambulance. Picture: Splash

Police believe the incident occurred when a large number of the group of around 30 teens were knocked over by a freak wave.

Conditions at Bondi were calm but it is understood the students were not experienced swimmers. Police have been told the teens were swimming between the flags before they were hit by a large wave.

A paramedic said one of the boys had been under water for “too long.”

Two teenagers were rushed to hospital after being rescued from the surf. Picture: Channel 7

The beach was virtually deserted after the schoolboys got into trouble. Picture: Chris Pavlich

Witness James Macris was working out on the outdoor gym at Bondi when noticed police, lifeguards and ambulance crews on the beach.

“I caught the same bus down as (the students) ... They were definitely from south East Asia,” he said.

“There were crowds at one point and everyone was freaking out.

“We realised nobody had died so it was all okay. Then they were up here being questioned by police.”

It is believed the group of students are on a two-week trip in Australia from Indonesia.

Eastern Suburbs police are continuing their investigations into the incident. Any witnesses to the incident are urged to contact police.