Fiona MacDonald: Family pays tribute to heroes after Sunshine Coast beach rescue

A grateful mum has been reunited with her rescuers after she and her son were dragged into a “serious” flash rip on the Sunshine Coast. WATCH THE REUNION

Reunited with the people who saved his life, Hamish King’s message was simple, “thank you for saving us”.

Hamish, 8, and his mother Fiona MacDonald were in waist deep water between the flags at Alexandra Headland beach on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday when they were dragged into a “life or death” situation.

The duo were caught in a flash rip and then pounded by a “freak” set of waves.

The 45-year-old did all she could to keep Hamish above water as the waves grew bigger.

Lifeguards saw the trouble unfolding and used a loudspeaker to tell them help was coming.

Surf Life Saving Queensland lifeguards rescued Ms MacDonald from rough surf at Alexandra Headland on Sunday morning. Picture: Stuart Cumming.

Surf Life Saving Queensland lifeguard Zac Turner said there’s no doubt their story could’ve ended in tragedy.

“It was very rough, it was one of the most serious life or death rescues I’ve ever done and I’ve been here for 10 years,” he said.

“It was a freak wave and a freak set with a flash rip and it was a perfect storm for something really bad to happen.

“She did so well to keep him above water until we got there because they were in one of the most precarious situations I’ve ever seen.”

Melbourne mother Fiona MacDonald and her son 8-year-old Hamish King reunite with rescuers Jake Simpson and Zac Turner as well as Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Danielle Williams after being caught in a flash rip on the Sunshine Coast.

Ms MacDonald recounted the terrifying experience as she met with rescuers Zac Turner, Jake Simpson and Queensland Ambulance Service officer Danielle Williams.

“We went from having fun to screaming for help in just a flash second,” she said.

“It was the most terrifying experiences of my life.

She said no parent wanted to imagine not knowing what had happened to their child.

“So when they said it was OK they got him, my relief – there just aren’t enough words to express our gratitude to the lifeguards who saved us.”

Mr Turner and Mr Simpson said it was important to them to meet the family after the traumatic event.

“It’s very special to meet them and share our stories and everyone goes home safe and happy,” Mr Turner said.”

Ms MacDonald said there were not enough words to sum up how grateful the family was.

“I’ve got no doubt in my mind if we weren’t between the flags we wouldn't of made it,” she said.

“There was no way we were getting out of there without their help.

“It’s such a reminder of how dangerous the sea can be that you can do all the right things and still get into trouble.”

Melbourne mother Fiona MacDonald and her son 8-year-old Hamish King have been reunited with rescuers after being caught in a flash rip on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Natalie Wynne.

She said the situation a good reminder to always swim between the flags.

“We’re staying just 500m down the beach and we could've easily thought ‘we’ll just swim here’,” Ms MacDonald said.

“That’s what keeps giving me shudders thinking how easily we could’ve just taken what seemed like the easy route and not swum between the flags.”

Mr Turner agreed saying the family holiday could’ve ended in tragedy had they not done all the right things.

“If they weren’t at a patrolled beach with lifeguards on duty it would have been a very tragic scenario for sure,” he said.

Originally published as Fiona MacDonald: Family pays tribute to heroes after Sunshine Coast beach rescue