Teenage pair save the life of jet ski rider knocked unconscious at Rye on Port Phillip Bay
TWO 13-year-old boys have been hailed as Australia Day heroes after saving the life of a man who was knocked unconscious by his jet ski on Port Phillip Bay.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two teenagers have pulled off a daring rescue to save the life of a man knocked unconscious in Port Phillip Bay by his jet ski.
Ed Fuggle and Ben Brunton were sailing together on Australia Day off Rye foreshore when they thought they saw someone in the water, about 2.30pm.
The 13-year olds edged closer in their Laser craft then realised it was a man yelling for help.
“We couldn’t get close enough so I jumped in the water,” Ed said. “I told Ben to tip the boat over so the rescue boat would come over to us.”
Ed swam to the man who was about 7m away and tried to talk to him.
“He was a bit panicked,” he said. “He didn’t realise his life jacket was working so he was trying to keep himself up. He was really tired by the time I got to him.
“I held his hand and told him to float, then he relaxed a bit.”
It appears the man has been knocked unconscious as he came off his jet ski. It was found washed up further along Rye foreshore. He told the rescuers he had launched from Tootgarook and was probably in the water for about one-and-a-half to two hours.
Ben said he decided to tip the boat over to get the attention of a patrol boat close by.
“I capsized the boat to attract the rescue boat’s attention, they came over to me and saw there was something wrong.”
The 13-year old from Macleod quickly told them about the jet skier in distress.
“Apparently he had no strength whatsoever and had been in the water an hour and a half,” he said.
Ben said it was a fortunate the pair decided to take the laser out, despite strong winds.
“I suppose its lucky we did because he would have gone out to (Port Phillip) Heads,” Ben said.
Ed’s mum Min said she was incredibly proud of both boys who have been friends since they joined as tackers at Rye Yacht about six years ago. The Fuggles live in Rye and have become firm friends with the Bruntons who live in Melbourne but holiday in Tootgarook.
“It was amazing, the two kids working together and sticking to their plan,” she said.
“They knew the rescue boat was nearby and keeping an eye on all the young ones so they knew if they capsized it would come and check on them.
“They are well trained so they knew not to panic.
“Once they had the man in the boat they took Ed back to Ben and the boys sailed back in together.”
“We are incredibly proud parents.”
The man was assessed by paramedics when he was returned to shore but did not require further treatment.
In a post describing the incident on the Rye Yacht Club Facebook page, the club wrote: “Attending paramedics and police praised the two boys for their efforts and their quick thinking, in what could have easily been a tragedy.
“Congratulations to Ed and Ben, we are very proud of you.”