Inside story of Gold Coast City Council lifeguard’s heroic beach rescue

A boy rescued by a heroic teenage lifeguard during this week’s drowning tragedy in Surfers Paradise was just seconds from certain death. Read how the incredible act unfolded.

A boy rescued by a heroic off-duty lifeguard during this week’s drowning tragedy in Surfers Paradise was just seconds from certain death, the city’s chief lifeguard says.

An 18-year-old city council lifeguard could only see the top of the child’s head by the time he paddled out and pulled the 11-year-old from the rough surf.

Speaking on behalf of the teen hero, Gold Coast chief lifeguard Chris Maynard has recounted the dramatic lead up and aftermath of the drama on Wednesday night.

Scenes at Surfers Paradise during Wednesday night’s drowning tragedy. Picture: Lachie Harrington

Tragically, the young boy’s father Yong Feng, a visitor from Victoria, could not be saved after he was also pulled from the choppy seas.

Mr Feng was swimming with his 11-year-old son at the world famous beach just before 7pm near the Meriton Ocean tower when they got into difficulty.

Paramedics worked desperately to save Mr Feng, but he could not be revived.

Mr Maynard said the lifeguard had just finished work at Main Beach and was driving through the area in a marked vehicle when a member of the public waved him down.

Chief lifeguard Chris Maynard speaks out about the drowning tragedy at Surfers Paradise. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“He ran down the beach with his board and there was a bit of activity,” he said.

“He could see there were two swimmers - one unconscious male in the distance was being held up (in the water) by a board rider.

“He could see the 11-year-old was separated about 75m away from the man in deep water.

“He negotiated the surf and went straight for the 11-year-old.

“If it was another 30 seconds to a minute, we would have been talking about another tragedy.

“The child was very close to disappearing, so you could just see the top of his head and he was underwater.”

Surfers Paradise beach. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The boy was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital after swallowing large amounts of water but was in a stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

Mr Feng’s wife and another child were treated for shock at the scene.

Mr Maynard said the lifeguard stayed at the scene for some time after the rescue.

Counselling and support services have been offered to the 18-year-old, who returned to work the next morning.

“He did an amazing job and happened to be there at the right time,” the chief lifeguard said.

“He was very proud of the fact that he actually saved the child’s life.”

City lifeguards are warning of the serious consequences of swimming outside the flags and outside patrolled hours.

Lifeguards on patrol after the tragic drowning in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Of the seven drownings on Gold Coast beaches in the past two years, all have occurred outside flagged areas.

City lifeguards had rescued 250 people since Christmas Day and prevented 5200 potential ocean-related rescues and emergencies in this period, Mr Maynard said.

“Ocean conditions have not been favourable these holidays so far with large swells coming in from an easterly direction causing dangerous rip currents along the coast that are difficult for people to identify.

“We expect the current conditions to continue over the next few days.”

City of Gold Coast Lifeguards and volunteer surf lifesaving clubs have extended patrol hours from 6am to 6.30pm at 20 of the busiest beaches and 7.30am to 6.30pm at all others.

Originally published as Inside story of Gold Coast City Council lifeguard’s heroic beach rescue