Quick-thinking 9yo boy saves two lives

Youngster Harley was enjoying a day on the beach with his family when he noticed a developing emergency.

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February 22, 2024 - 12:48PM

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A mother and daughter are lucky to be alive after they were spotted almost 400m away from shore by a nine-year-old boy.

Harley Londema noticed the two swimmers struggling about 7pm on Tuesday night off a beach in South Australia.

9News reports the boy quickly ran to his stepmother Georgia Livingston, who dialled triple zero.

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“It looked like they were waving, but it looked like they needed help and were trying to yell,” Harley told 9News.

Harley Londema with his stepmum Georgia and two little siblings. Picture: 9News

While waiting for emergency services, lifesavers and brothers Tom and Michael Knauer paddled out to try to help the two women.

“It was windy, so I’m not surprised they got swept off the beach,” Tom told 9News.

“By the time we got there, they were a long way out.”

Surf Life Saving SA believes the efforts of rescuers is worthy of national recognition. Picture: 9News

It is understood the mother and daughter ended up 400m out from sea and fighting to stay afloat.

“The daughter was holding the mum up, just trying to keep her head above the water as she was gasping for air,” Michael told 9News.

“I think if I had been another minute or so, she would have gone under.”

9News reports the mother was too exhausted to get on board the paddle board when she was rescued, and couldn’t speak.

The 17-year-old daughter was assessed by paramedics on the scene, while her 45-year-old mum was taken to Flinders Medical Centre.

Surf Life Saving SA told 9News they would seek to nominate everyone involved in the rescue for an award with Surf Life Saving Australia.