By Josefine Ganko and Kayla Olaya
The heroic first responders who saved the life of a teenage boy whose arm was severed in a jet-ski crash have recalled how instinct took over as they entered the Georges River on Tuesday night.
While the 14-year-old boy was rescued, his 15-year-old friend died when their jet-ski collided with an obstacle near Tom Uglys Bridge in Sydney’s south about 6.10pm.
Special operations paramedic Scott McNamara and Constable Jesse Hockey rescued the 14-year-old boy from the water.Credit: Nine News
Onlookers called emergency services when the 14-year-old called out for help from the water. The boy’s right arm has been severed, and while he was initially treading water, he began falling in and out of consciousness.
Both boys were wearing lifejackets, which police say helped save the younger boy.
NSW Police Constable Jesse Hockey and special operations paramedic Scott McNamara were among the first on the scene, with McNamara quickly throwing his wetsuit on to commence a water rescue.
Hockey told McNamara he was a decent swimmer, and he stripped down to his shirt and underwear to assist.
“Jesse came across, and he said, ‘I’m a good swimmer.’ I said, ‘Great mate. I’ll give you a lifejacket. Come with me’,” McNamara said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“Two to effect a rescue like that makes it so much easier.”
The 14-year-old boy was being pulled further from the shore as the pair swam about 60 metres towards him, following a light that fellow officers were shining from the bridge above as they moved through the cold, murky water.
The boy was semiconscious, and had an “obvious traumatic amputation to his right arm”. While McNamara had a tourniquet on him, there was no active bleeding, so the pair quickly began swimming back to shore.
Jesse Hockey warmed up in a blanket up after entering the icy water, while Scott McNamara was dressed in a wetsuit.Credit: Nine News
“His condition deteriorated on the way in his level of consciousness, and we just got him to shore as quickly as we could,” McNamara said.
Back on shore, Hockey was wrapped in a red blanket, warming up after swimming through the cold river.
On Wednesday, Hockey said he followed his instincts.
“It’s probably not so much training. It’s just instinctive. I was confident to get in the water, so I went with the gut and did it.”
The boy was treated by ambulance at the boat ramp before being transferred to Sydney Children’s Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. His condition stabilised on Wednesday.
The jet ski is recovered from the Georges River. Credit: Nine News
A search began for the 15-year-old boy, whose body was eventually recovered from the water.
Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash, including what object the jet-ski collided with. Crews were seen in the Georges River on Wednesday recovering debris from the jet-ski, and later, lifting it from the water.
The jet-ski is owned by one of the boys’ families, police said.
Superintendent Donald Faulds said it was an “absolutely amazing effort” for Hockey and McNamara to rescue the 14-year-old.
“Both officers jumped into the water at night in very murky conditions: very, very scary. There’s a lot of fuel in the water as well, and it’s unknown what else could have been in the water at the time,” he said.
“From my perspective, a very, very brave effort.”
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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