Three men rescued from surf at Park Beach, Coffs Harbour

Three men were pulled from the surf and kept alive by bystanders – including an off-duty doctor – at a notorious Coffs Harbour beach. Here’s how it happened.

Two dramatic surf rescues were made within minutes of one another at Coffs Harbour's notorious Park Beach late on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Frank Redward

Three men were pulled from the surf and kept alive by bystanders – including an off-duty doctor – in a frantic afternoon at Coffs Harbour’s notorious Park Beach.

The first rescue happened about 3.30pm yesterday – after surf life savers took down the flags for the day – when two men found themselves in trouble, presumably caught in rips ever present in the area.

“I was sitting over there reading my book and next minute I heard a lot of screaming and shouting and people running,” eyewitness Ronelle Dempers said.

“One dad went in to go and save them and he managed to get to one person and he was nearly dragged down himself.”

Ronelle Dempers: “I heard a lot of screaming and shouting and people running.” Picture: Frank Redward

Ms Dempers said a number of people, including surf life savers, managed to bring one of the men to shore.

“Then another guy came with a paddleboard and he went to get the (other) guy who had drifted even further,” she said.

Two dramatic surf rescues were made within minutes of one another at Coffs Harbour's notorious Park Beach. Picture: Frank Redward

“It was quite serious. They wouldn’t have been able to make it by themselves. If rescuers weren’t here it would have been a worse outcome.”

Both men were exhausted but able to walk once ashore.

They were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital.

Another man, believed to be aged in his 60s, found himself in trouble, closer to North Wall, about 4.30pm.

Nathan Glanford rushed to a man’s aid. Picture: Frank Redward

He was brought to shore unconscious by a boardrider.

Nathan Glanford was there and reacted quickly to the commotion.

“We were just walking down the beach and about halfway down we could see people gathering at the water’s edge and obviously someone was in trouble,” he said.

Emergency services were quickly on hand at both incidents. Picture: Frank Redward

He said he ran to the nearby Yacht Club and fetched an automatic defibrillator.

“We had to drag him out of the water and onto dry sand,” he said.

Paramedics prepare to take one victim to hospital. Picture: Frank Redward

“We got the defib’ machine going and fortunately for him there was a doctor who was working on him.

“Within about five minutes the emergency services was here which was excellent.”

CPR was performed on the man and paramedics were able to restart his heart, according to NSW Ambulance.

The man was taken to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital.