Elderly man Bob Hood rescued by mystery saviour after falling into Wrights Creek at Port Macquarie

An elderly man was moments from death, struggling to keep his head above water with legs tangled in roots after falling down an embankment into a Mid-North Coast creek – but mysterious saviour “Scott” leapt into action.

The incident at Wrights Creek on Shelley Beach Rd on Friday.

An elderly man was moments from death, struggling to keep his head above water with legs tangled in tree roots after falling down a steep embankment into a creek at Port Macquarie – but a mystery man known only as “Scott” dived in to help.

Bob Hood, 83, was out on one of his regular strolls with the aid of a wheelie walker.

After suffering a stroke four years ago, Mr Hood was urged to keep as active as possible, but as his wife Diane explained, the stroke also triggered vascular dementia.

“When he had the stroke doctors said he wouldn’t walk again but they didn’t know my husband,” she said.

Mrs Hood often accompanies her husband on his walks along Shelly Beach Rd near Wrights Creek. but on Friday she stayed at home.

Bob Hood being assisted by SES and NSW Ambulance crews at Port Macquarie.

“He usually takes about 25 minutes. but when he’d been gone longer I went for my phone and it started ringing – somebody said ‘he’s OK, we’ve called the ambulance’,” she said.

Mrs Hood rushed to the scene and learnt that a woman walking her dog along the road saw Bob’s walker tipped on its side.

The passer-by looked around and spotted Mr Hood in the creek, with his head just above water.

Mr Hood fell into Wrights Creek on Shelley Beach Road on Friday.

She rushed onto the road and flagged down a passing car, with a mystery man named “Scott” inside with his partner, thought to be named “Kira”.

“Scott climbed down and held his head up which was all bleeding. He must have hit a rock, but Bob doesn’t remember.” Mrs Hood said.

“He must have been so terrified with his legs all tangled in vines.

“He wouldn’t have been able to keep his head above water for much longer.

“Scott saved his life – and the lady who flagged down the car – it was a combination.”

Bob Hood fell into a creek and hit his head on Friday, February 9.

Despite being in deep shock and suffering dementia Mr Hood managed to remember his wife’s phone number, which is how she was contacted so quickly.

Although Mr Hood is a regular walker along the stretch, it was the first time he had been there since road widening work was undertaken by Port Macquarie Hastings Council.

Mrs Hood said she believes changes made edges for walking more narrow.

The council has been contacted for comment in relation to the incident.

“They’ve done a wonderful job on the road, but there’s nowhere safe to walk,” Mrs Hood said.

“I feel sick, and the mad part about it, is that council requires you to pay rates and put fences around swimming pools, but this can happen?

“What if it had been a young child who fell in.”

Diane and Bob Hood moved to Port Macquarie in 1980.

Mrs Hood said she has contacted the council, but not yet heard back.

Mr Hood has several stitches on his head but the extent of his injuries is still being assessed.

“He is so sore and can’t use his left arm – he may have some cracked ribs,” Mrs Hood said.

The council currently has a draft Footpaths and Walkways in Public Road Reserves Policy on exhibition, with residents urged to have a say.

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Originally published as Elderly man Bob Hood rescued by mystery saviour after falling into Wrights Creek at Port Macquarie