Man who saved children from surf honoured with bravery award
A man who risked his life to save two teens at Burrill Beach in 2014 has been given the highest honour. He has been awarded for his bravery.
In January 2014, Ian Stoddart and his wife Tamara were enjoying their annual pilgrimage to their caravan near Burrill Lake on the South Coast.
Mr Stoddart was swimming at Burrill Beach when he heard British tourist Andrew Priestley screaming for help.
Mr Priestley and his two sons, then aged 10 and 12, were caught in a rip and struggling to stay afloat.
Despite being aware of the dangers, Mr Stoddart immediately began swimming to their rescue.
The Narellan Vale resident escorted the two boys to safety after Mr Priestley had lifted them onto a boogie board.
Mr Stoddart then returned to Mr Priestley but found him face down in the water.
He turned him over and lifted him onto his board and began swimming back to the beach.
Mr Priestley slipped underwater twice, forcing Mr Stoddart to lift him back onto the board despite being almost exhausted from his efforts in the rough surf.
Local surfers heard Mr Stoddart’s calls for help and assisted him back to shore.
Tragically Mr Priestley was unable to be revived by emergency services.
But Mr Stoddart, while pleased to receive the award, believes he behaved no differently than how many others would have in the same situation.
“I just did what I did and I thought anyone would do it,” he said.
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“From speaking to other people they said they wouldn’t have done it but it was just a spur of the moment thing — they needed help and so I tried to help.
“I didn’t really want any acknowledgment. Yes I’m happy for it, but I just thought anyone would do it.”
Mr Stoddart said conditions on the beach that day were particularly rough.
“It wasn’t windy or anything like that but the underwater currents were strong and the surf was coming in hard,” he said.
“I thought I was gone, I was really struggling to stay afloat and carry him back.”
Mr Stoddart was among 100 people to be awarded a Bravery Medal for their actions.
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