Teen lifeguards praised by Victoria Police for Yarrawonga lake rescue

TWO quick-thinking teenage lifeguards saved the life of a drunken tourist who almost drowned after jumping off a bridge and into a Yarrawonga lake.

TWO quick thinking teenage lifeguards have rescued a drunken tourist who almost drowned after he jumped off a bridge and into a Yarrawonga lake.

Erica Montgomery, 15, and Grace Creenaune, 17, were working at the nearby Mulwala Bridge Aquazone water park when the man’s mate raised the alarm shortly after 4.30pm on Tuesday.

The two Queensland men had tried to enter the water park 10 minutes earlier but were turned away because of intoxication.

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Hero girls Grace Creenaune and Erica Montgomery saved swimmers in Yarrawonga. Picture: Simon Dallinger

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They then landed themselves in trouble after recklessly diving from Mulwala Bridge into the lake.

One of the holiday-makers, aged 30, saved himself but was unable to rescue his friend and desperately raced back to the park for help.

“We could tell by the fear in his face and the sound of his voice that something serious had happened,” Erica said.

“As we were swimming out to the struggling man he was coming in and out of consciousness and went fully under,

“If we had arrived 10 seconds later it could have been an entirely different outcome.”

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Hero girls Grace Creenaune and Erica Montgomery. Picture: Simon Dallinger

The two young heroes used a flotation device to bring the 19-year-old man to safety before paramedics took him to hospital for observation.

Grace said she acted instinctively and did what she was trained to do.

“It was the most serious rescue I’ve ever dealt with and it’s crazy to think that we saved someone’s life but I wouldn’t consider it an act of bravery,” she said.

“My message is simple, alcohol and water really don’t mix.”

Yarrawonga Leading Senior Constable Russell Welsh said it was a commendable effort by the two young girls.

“I believe if not for their courage and efforts, the incident could have resulted in a very different outcome” he said.

Police will recommend the teenagers for a bravery award.

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