Teen surf lifesaver relives first rescue at Wild Cattle Creek, Tannum Sands

A humble teen has been praised by his community and embraced by the family of a man who nearly drowned at a popular Central Queensland beach on New Year’s Day.

A humble teen surf lifesaver involved in the dramatic New Year’s Day rescue of a family has been labelled a hero and praised by the community for his quick thinking.

Tannum Sands local, Sid Crawshaw, 14, was less than an hour off finishing his patrol when a terrified mother sprinted up the beach and alerted him of her drowning husband and three children at the mouth of Wild Cattle Creek.

Setting off in the buggy alongside Club President, Mark Bryant, the teen said he was able to navigate the “scary” situation because of the support and training from the Tannum Sands Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC).

Sid Crawshaw, 14, crew member of the Tannum Sands SLSC on the beach shortly after his dramatic first rescue on New Year’s Day 2023. Picture: Hayley Bracewell Photography

A nearby windsurfer assisted the three children to safety, however, their father was drowning and had taken on water after helping rescue the kids who were caught in the same rip when Sid arrived on his board.

The man climbed on and was paddled to safety before he was transported to hospital in a stable condition.

Downplaying his heroics, Sid focused on thanking the wind surfer for relocating the kids and said his first rescue has motivated him to train harder and get better at surf lifesaving.

“It was scary for sure, but I barely had time to think about it, we raced along the beach and I paddled towards him, thankfully he wasn’t too far out,” Mr Crawshaw said.

“It was weird having lots of people come over and thank me but when the man’s daughter gave me a hug that was really moving,” he said.

“That wind surfer was a massive help, otherwise I probably would have been focused on the kids, so he should be thanked too and unfortunately I wasn’t able to speak to him after.”

Sid downplayed his heroics in the surf and acknowledged the club and a nearby wind surfer. Picture: Hayley Bracewell

Sid’s mother, Hayley Bracewell said she was so proud of her son and the club, where she is a member.

“Seeing one of his daughter’s embrace Sid, and hearing the man’s wife point and say “that boy saved my family” is one of the proudest moments of my life,” Ms Bracewell said.

“It was his first rescue and thank goodness it had a happy outcome, there was a tragedy in NSW on the same day and when we heard the news it really hit home,” she said.

“Mark’s experience and support was crucial in this rescue, the club should be so proud because while Sid was on patrol at the time, any of those kids would have done the same job.”

After sharing the news on social media following her son’s efforts, hundreds of community members flooded the post with support and praise.

“We saw him there and your other two in the water, what a scary situation and he used his skills wisely. Hero! You must be such a proud mum!,” one person commented.

Just days before the incident, Tannum Sands SLSC posted on social media alerting locals to be mindful near Wild Cattle Creek.

“The closest Tannum has to a rip is Wild Cattle Creek on a run out tide. Please be aware and take care … Best to swim between the flags,” the post said.

Originally published as Teen surf lifesaver relives first rescue at Wild Cattle Creek, Tannum Sands