Gunnamatta beach rescue: Chris Beale thanks Jed Lovell for saving his life
A young man rescued from almost certain death by a courageous stranger, who has now been nominated for a bravery award, has spoken of their terrifying ordeal.
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A young man rescued from almost certain death by a courageous stranger has spoken about the terrifying ordeal.
Chris Beale, 21, said he had no doubt if his rescuer Jed Lovell — who put his own life in jeopardy — hadn’t come to his aid at notorious Gunnamatta beach “I would have definitely drowned”.
Mr Lovell, a former Point Leo life saver, has been put forward for a Royal Humane Society of Australasia Bravery Award for his selfless act on Christmas Eve.
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Mr Beale, from Carrum Downs, was boogie boarding with cousins at Gunnamatta, one of Victoria’s most dangerous beaches, when a crushing wave sent him out to sea.
He was smashed by several more waves before he was able to get his head above water.
“When I gathered myself I was right next to the back break near the flat ocean,” he said.
“I looked at the shore and I was a good 300m out for sure.”
Mr Beale, who was recovering from a car accident at the time, tried to gather momentum and get back to the beach.
“I kept trying to kick but my legs got too tired and then I realised ‘this ain’t working’ so it was time to yell help,” he said.
That was the moment Mr Lovell swam out to him.
But then selfless Mr Lovell also began to struggle.
“He tried to tow me back in but I could see how tired he was, I could see in his eyes that he was gone,” Mr Beale said.
“We got a little bit in but we were still in the middle of the rip so I had my doubts we were going to make it back.
“We were rag dolling through the waves getting crushed, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t kick, I was tearing up, I said to Jed ‘we are not going to make it, we are going to die today’.
“I had my ups and downs and so did Jed, at times he felt we weren’t going to make it either.”
Mr Lovell was able to push Mr Beale towards a sand bank and both men were helped to shore.
On a day when there were no surfers, life savers or flags, Mr Beale said he owed his life to Mr Lovell.
“If he didn’t come out or if he wasn’t there then I would’ve definitely drowned,” Mr Beale said.
Mr Lovell, who was enjoying his first Christmas Eve off in 20 years, only decided to visit the beach after previous plans fell through.
Last week he told the Leader he tried to sidestroke Mr Beale back to shore but the relentless waves made it difficult to make headway.
“He had already given up, he kept saying ‘we’re going to die, we’re going to die’.
“I also had doubts either of us would make it back, I thought this is it, I’ve just drowned myself,” he said.
The JB Hi-Fi employee said he was “blown away” by the bravery nomination.
“I’m still processing it, it’s a lot to get your head around, I don’t think I’m in the (bravery) category,” he said.
“It’s not why you do these things but it’s the highest honour.”
Mr Lovell said he had a bit of a tough time in the days following the dramatic rescue but was feeling better now.
“I beat myself up over it for a few days but the kudos are coming through now even from friends I haven’t seen for a while,” he said.
The pair have since reunited and both agreed they feel bonded by the experience.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Mr Beale said.
“Jed deserves his bravery nomination because he’s a top bloke, I’ll be getting him a slab or couple of bottles of whiskey for sure.”
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