Victim who nearly drowned at Glenelg reunited with mystery saviour

An Adelaide woman who nearly drowned at Glenelg beach has been reunited with the “kind-hearted” woman who saved her life.

Eve Kheir is reunited with her saviour Sue Williams after she was rescued from drowning at Glenelg beach. Picture: Brett Hartwig

An Adelaide woman has been reunited with the good Samaritan who she said has “given (her) a second chance at life” after she spotted her drowning and alerted rescuers, hours after The Advertiser shared her search story.

There were tears, hugs and kisses as Eve Kheir met her mystery hero, Sue Williams who had spotted her struggling in the sea from her apartment balcony on the Glenelg esplanade.

“I can’t believe I found you,” Ms Kheir said as the pair embraced.

Ms Kheir was meditating near the breakwater at a secluded part of Glenelg beach on January 27 when she was swept out to sea by a wave.

The 45-year-old realised she was caught in a “dangerous” rip and spent the next three hours struggling against the current while clinging to a pole.

Ms Kheir was meditating near the breakwater at a secluded part of Glenelg beach when she was swept out to sea by a wave. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Mrs Williams had been watching Ms Kheir from her balcony, originally believing her to be swimming or exercising in the sea.

“We saw this young lady … and I just said to my husband ‘I don’t feel happy about this’,” the 73-year-old said.

“There’s something not right.”

The quick-thinking local ran down the Glenelg Life Saving Club and alerted them to Ms Kheir’s situation.

Mrs Williams said the lifesavers were unable to see Ms Kheir from their post due to the glare so she guided them to a spot where they could view her.

“(The lifesaver) said ‘you don’t know how close she was to drowning,’” Mrs Williams said.

Later that day, Mrs Williams returned to the surf club to check Ms Kheir was okay.

“She was just shaken, she was in another world,” Mrs Williams said.

“I was crying, she was crying.”

Mrs Williams had been watching Ms Kheir from her balcony, alerting the Glenelg Life Saving Club of the unfolding situation. Picture: Brett Hartwig

After the ordeal, Ms Kheir was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital to be treated for hypothermia and other injuries.

“(When I was in the water) I was waving at the next beach and screaming at the top of my lungs,” Ms Kheir said.

“I was praying to God … please send someone to help my way.

“You start accepting the fact that you are dying,” she said.

“You start thinking about what it will be like (and) how long it will take.

“You start thinking maybe you should let go and let the ocean have its way.”

Fortunately, Ms Kheir’s prayers were answered and during the reunion on Monday she was able to thank Mrs Williams and present her with a symbolic gift.

“It’s mind-blowing, it’s like epic,” Ms Kheir said as the pair stood at the location of her near-drowning.

“When (The Advertiser) called me and told me that we had actually found her, I was like ‘oh my gosh’, that was one of the happiest moments ever.

“Being there for three hours … at a certain stage I lost hope.

“Friendship for life.”

Originally published as Victim who nearly drowned at Glenelg reunited with mystery saviour