AFL star hailed after saving family from drowning

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield has been hailed as a hero after a scary moment where a family was dragged out to sea.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats looks on during the 2021 AFL Round 18 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium on July 15, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield admits the family of three he saved from drowning at a beach “were very lucky” after they were dragged out by a strong rip.

Dangerfield was sitting on the sand at Moggs Creek with his family before he clocked the trio, including an 11-year-old girl, struggling about 100m out the back of the surf.

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A member of the public alerted the 31-year-old, who then promptly paddled out on his surfboard to help them stay afloat.

As they waited for 15 minutes and tried to paddle back in to shore, a helicopter flew over them.

Then lifeguards from Sea Rescue in Fairhaven arrived on the scene via jetskis to help bring the two adults in to shore while Dangerfield paddled the 11-year-old in.

The Cats star was grateful to get to them when he did, especially given the large waves.

Had he arrived on the scene any later or if the jetskis had not arrived, Dangerfield knows “it could have been far worse.

Patrick Dangerfield at Geelong Cats training. Picture: Alison Wynd

“They were out for a good half an hour and it took me a few minutes to get out, we paddled for 15 minutes trying to go laterally to the rip,” Dangerfield told News Corp.

They had been trying to paddle against it and they were buggered, they had paddled for a while.

“Then when I saw the chopper overhead I knew it would be all right.

“They were quite lucky, the young daughter was absolutely exhausted.

“If we didn’t have those guys (lifesavers) there, it could have been far worse.

“They were very lucky.”

Victorian Police confirmed via a statement on Monday that an 11-year-old girl had been attended to by paramedics, but had not been injured.

“Police and emergency services were called to Moggs Creek after reports a group of swimmers were in trouble about 11.55am on Sunday, 20 February, the statement read.

“A member of the public witnessed the incident from the shore and rescued an 11-year-old girl by placing her on his surfboard.

“Life Saving Victoria volunteers attended on jet skis and brought two adults to shore.”

Originally published as AFL star hailed after saving family from drowning