Lifesavers Scott Balfour and Jason O’Donnell risked death to save a man caught in monster seas

THE biggest storm in 40 years, dire warnings from experienced surfers and the pleas of his young son were not enough to stop Jason O’Donnell from saving a life.

Jason O’Donnell and Scott Balfour risked their lives to save kayaker Raymond Forde. Picture: Toni Fuller

WHEN Jason O’Donnell’s wife noticed a man “getting belted” by six-metre swells and violent rips during one of the biggest storms to hit NSW in 40 years, the 47-year-old didn’t think twice about risking his own life to save him.

The father-of-one and president of Macksville­-Scotts Head Surf Lifesaving Club on the state’s mid north coast knew time was running out for the man, who was being taken between 300m-600m out to sea after being knocked from his kayak.

It was one of the biggest storms to hit NSW in 40 years. Picture: Anne-Marie Ladegaard

The pair, from Macksville-Scotts Head SLSC, were awarded with Rescue of the Year at the 2016 NSW Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence. Picture: Anne-Marie Ladegaard

Massive waves were dragging 29-year-old engineering manager Raymond Forde underwater for 30 seconds at a time, only to bring him to the surface 80m from where he was dumped.

The treacherous conditions at Scotts Head on June 5 were whipped by the same massive storm which destroyed beachfront homes at Collaroy and flooded the Tweed and northern rivers.

Mr Forde’s girlfriend Germaine Sheehan told lifesavers he was wearing a lifejacket and was a competent swimmer.

“From the time that we spoke to her I knew that we had about 30 minutes to save him,” Mr O’Donnell said.

Together with fellow lifesaver Scott Balfour, Mr O’Donnell was able to pull off the most dangerous rescue of his 30-year career.

A helicopter and jetski were unavailable, so the only option was an inflatable rescue boat. Large waves, high winds and choppy conditions meant the only opportunity to save him was when the rip-tide brought him about 300m from the shore.

“The sets coming through were some of the biggest I’ve ever seen at Scotts Head,” Mr O’Donnell said.

Jason O’Donnell (right) and Scott Balfour risked their lives to save kayaker Raymond Forde. Picture: Toni Fuller

“I had people saying to let him drown, which disturbed me.

“I had no option but to try and save another fellow human being..”

After 90 minutes in 17C water Mr Forde was dragged into an area close to rocks.

It was then that Mr O’Donnell, and Mr Balfour, 44, decided to go. By the time the pair reached the Newcastle man his body temperature had dropped to 26C. He was succumbing to hypothermia, was exhausted and ready to die.

“As I grabbed him a huge wave smashed into the boat, so Jason had to give it some throttle,” said Mr Balfour, a father of three.

“I told him (Mr Forde) that I was not going to let go. We had to grab him quickly before another wave came. After we got him we went like a bat out of hell back to the beach.”

Mr Forde, who was reunited with his rescuers this week, believes if it wasn’t for their bravery there’s no question he wouldn’t be alive to tell the tale.

“After struggling for so long I was just making peace with death,” he said. “I was thinking that the sharks should just take me.”

For their bravery Mr O’Donnell and Mr Balfour are both nominated for a Pride of Australia Award.

Jason O’Donnell and Scott Balfour represent courage and bravery. Picture: Toni Fuller

ABOUT THE AWARDS

Courage, bravery, community spirit, inspirational teachers and compassionate carers — the Pride Of Australia Medal has it all.

The 2016 Pride Of Australia nomination period begins today and is sure to unearth more ordinary Australians who are doing extraordinary things in our midst.

Presented by The Sunday Telegraph, The Daily Telegraph and NewsLocal, and supported by Clubs NSW, the Pride Of Australia Medal ­recognises our unsung heroes.

People such as Cassidy Strickland, who one day saw a homeless man rummaging in her bin. She called her mum and said, “We need to help people like this.” The pair started Hawkesbury Helping Hand, providing food, clothing and support to homeless people in the Hawkesbury region.

Tommy Raymen was caught in a line of traffic when a petrol tanker overturned and exploded in front of him. He ran to the tanker to rescue an elderly woman.

Pride Of Australia recognised the bravery of police officer Bryson Anderson, who paid the ultimate price when he was stabbed defending fellow officers dealing with a fight in Sydney’s southwest.

Whether it be a neighbour who has saved a life, or emergency services workers who take risks every day, Pride Of Australia ­rewards their contribution.

This year eight winners will be announced at a ceremony on December 1 and will be part of the National Pride of Australia magazine published in January.

To nominate a local hero, go to dailytelegraph.com.au/news/pride-of-australia