French tourist and 20yo lifeguard prevents tragedy by saving two teens at Glenelg beach
A working holiday maker from France has become an unlikely hero after helping rescue two teen girls who fell from a sandbar at Glenelg beach.
A French beachgoer and two lifeguards have been praised for their quick actions after they stepped in to prevent a tragedy, rescuing two teenage girls in distress in Glenelg waters on Monday.
The emergency unfolded at 5.30pm when two teenage girls, believed to be sisters, had fallen off the sandbar, 150m north out of the patrolled red and yellow flags.
Frenchman Aubin Davalan and Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club senior lifeguard Emma de Laine, who have been credited with saving the girls, 14 and 15, reunited on Tuesday afternoon.
“Both of our work has ultimately enabled her to … be able to live. The outcome could have been terrible if she wasn’t rescued,” Ms de Laine said.
The 20-year-old said she and another lifeguard were alerted to two girls in distress by members of the public and jumped into action.
“The other lifeguard went out and grabbed (the 14-year-old) while I got the lady who was unconscious,” she said
“She was initially being held up by two bystanders, one of which was a Glenelg Surf Life Saving clubby and one of which was a tourist (Mr Davalan).”
She said another lifeguard brought back the 14-year-old girl to shore via board while she took the 15-year-old back with a rescue tube.
Ms de Laine said the 15-year-old was unconscious so she placed her in the recovery position and provided first aid as well as oxygen therapy before paramedics arrived and she was taken to Flinders Medical Centre.
“She seemed to be in shock but in good condition,” she said.
SA Health told The Advertiser the teen has since been discharged from hospital.
Mr Davalan, who is in Australia on a working holiday, said he learned what to do in situations like this from his friends who were also lifeguards in the south of France.
But he said he didn’t see himself as a hero – just someone doing the right thing.
“I was at a good place, at the good moment,” he said.
Surf Life Saving SA chief executive Damien Marangon said last year South Australia saw record drownings, with 24 people lost – 18 of those incidents occurring at coastal locations.
Mr Marangon said the state could have seen another tragedy if it wasn’t for the quick thinking of the public and the presence of lifeguards.
Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club said lifeguards were present on the beach during the weekday thanks to extended patrols, funded as part of the government’s Algal Bloom Summer Plan.
As swimmers flock to the beach this summer, the club is urging everyone to stay safe and swim between the red and yellow flags.
Originally published as French tourist and 20yo lifeguard prevents tragedy by saving two teens at Glenelg beach
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