‘Heroic and traumatic’: Woman punches dad as he allegedly tries to drown child

The fitness group members have broken their silence after saving a five-year-old boy from an alleged attempted drowning on a northern WA beach early Monday morning.

Pilar Grace

2 min read

September 5, 2023 - 6:56PM

Exercise group stops man allegedly drowning son at popular WA beach

Family Life

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The Complete Life Fitness group was holding an early morning bootcamp training session on Monday on the Dampier Foreshore, 1,500km north of Perth, when they witnessed a traumatic scene.

It’s understood the women saw a four-wheel-drive making its way along the sand before a man emerged from the vehicle and allegedly tried to drown a five-year-old child in the water.

The women sprung to action, with one rushing the man and punching him several times while others in the group rescued the little boy and called police.

“It was quite traumatic and very heroic,” one of the women told NCA Newswire.

According to the group’s Facebook page, the Tuesday morning session was cancelled after the incident, and on Wednesday they resumed training.

“Please respect our privacy with no media presence,” post on Facebook read.

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The group was exercising on the shore when they spotted a terrifying scene. Photo: supplied

Father drives into water at Dampier and allegedly tries to drown boy

Witnesses told the Sydney Morning Herald that the man drove the vehicle into the water and waded 70 metres out into the tide. He was seen trying to push the little boy’s head under the water before the women intervened and saved the boy.

The five-year-old was taken to the local hospital in a stable condition. He was shaken, but unharmed.

WA Police Karratha Detectives Officer In Charge Jason Blaine told ABC Pilbara that the women who intervened saved the boy’s life.

“Without their involvement, their courage and their bravery to get involved, it could have ended a lot worse,” he said. “They responded without hesitation and contacted the police.”

The group requested privacy as they resumed training. Photo: Facebook

WA man charged with attempt to unlawfully kill

The 26-year-old, from Nickol, was arrested by WA Police shortly after the incident.

He has been charged with attempting unlawfully to kill and two counts of assault with intent to commission a crime.

The man also faces driving-related charges, including reckless driving and driving while never having held the authority to do so.

He appeared before Karratha Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning via video link from the hospital. He will appear before Perth’s Stirling Garden Magistrates Court on September 13.