Girl, 4, saved from the River Torrens at Klemzig after near drowning

A man and his dog, Knuckles have saved a young girl from drowning in the River Torrens after the alert dog heard the child’s distressed splashes.

A young girl was rescued from drowning in the water of the Linear Park Windsor Grove River Torrens on Friday, February 16, 2024. (The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette)

A man and his dog heroically saved a four-year-old girl from drowning in the River Torrens on Friday.

The man, Wael – who asked for his surname to be anonymous – said he was having a picnic with his German shepherd Knuckles, along the Torrens at about 3pm, near the Windsor Gardens Caravan Park at Klemzig.

Knuckles the German Shepherd with owner Wael, who helped to save a young girl who had almost drowned in the water in the River Torrens on Friday, February 16. Picture: Morgan Sette.

Wael said he had his earphones in and couldn’t hear anything but suddenly he felt his dog pulling on the leash towards the water.

“It was uncharacteristic for her (the dog) to act up so aggressively and persistently,” Wael said.

“I took one earphone out and I could hear splashing in the creek so I looked out to see what was out there.

“Then I saw this little girl and her head went underwater for two seconds and when she resurfaced she made eye contact with me and it was as if time slowed down.”

Wael sprung into action, calling over another bystander who was walking past to call for an ambulance and further assistance.

He then stripped off his clothes and shoes before jumping into the water.

“When I first got into the water it was only knee-deep but as I got closer to the girl I was honestly fully underwater. I thought I was drowning myself for a second,” he said.

Knuckles the German Shepherd, who alerted her owner Wael to a young girl who had almost drowned in the water. Picture: Morgan Sette

Knuckles the German Shepherd. Picture: Morgan Sette

“But after I grabbed the young girl, I realised we couldn’t get out together because of how steep the water’s edge was, so I called on that other bystander to take her from my arms.

“After I swam around to get back on land I could see the girl was spewing up the water she swallowed but she seemed mostly all right.”

Wael said the young girl’s dad came over after the police and ambulances had arrived on

scene.

“The dad told me that his daughter has some sort of disability – she doesn’t really speak

– so it’s very lucky Knuckles heard the splashing,” he said.

Wael said he felt a bit shocked after the accident and was grateful his dog noticed the girl in trouble.

A young girl was rescued from drowning in the water of the Linear Park Windsor Grove River Torrens on Friday, February 16, 2024. (The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette)

“It’s quite scary to imagine what would have happened if Knuckles hadn’t started acting up and I didn’t take out my earphones,” he said.

“Knuckles will be getting some extra treats tonight for being the true hero of the day.”

Police and ambulances arrived within ten minutes of being called to the scene.

Ambulance officers and a SAAS Special Operations team told The Advertiser the four-year-old girl was “coughing and crying” but otherwise uninjured.

The young girl was taken to hospital for a check-up.

Emergency services rushed to the scene when the girl was reported to be beneath the surface of the water. Picture: The Advertiser/Morgan Sette

Knuckles the German shepherd with owner Wael, who helped to save the young girl. Picture: The Advertiser/Morgan Sette

Originally published as Girl, 4, saved from the River Torrens at Klemzig after near drowning