A 21-year-old Hobart man is recovering after falling into the Derwent

Quick thinking by volunteers from the Salvation Army Street Team has saved the life of a Hobart man found struggling in the River Derwent after a night out.

Rhys Hall, street team volunteer and Guy Stainsby, project officer for The Salvation Army are pictured at Elizabeth Street Pier the day after an intoxicated man was rescued from the water. Rhys spoke to the man before he ended up in the Derwent where he was rescued. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

THE actions of quick-thinking good Samaritans are being credited with saving a man who was rescued from the water in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Police were alerted about 1.20am that a Hobart man, 21, had fallen into the water at the end of Elizabeth Street Pier.

Volunteers from the Salvation Army Street Team had spotted the man in trouble and thrown a life ring towards him that they had retrieved from the nearby Windeward Bound.

Two police officers arrived and dived into the water to rescue the man. He was taken to hospital, disoriented but uninjured.

Salvos Street Team coordinator Guy Stainsby said volunteers had noticed the man “written off” and unsteady on his feet at the waterfront.

They attempted to communicate with him but he went towards the Elizabeth Street Pier, tripped over and fell in the water.

Mr Stainsby said he then called for security and the police to come to the man’s aid, instructing one of his team to throw the life ring towards the man in the meantime.

Rhys Hall, street team volunteer and Guy Stainsby, project officer for The Salvation Army are pictured at Elizabeth Street Pier where an intoxicated man was rescued from the water earlier that day. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Mr Stainsby said if it wasn’t for the actions of the volunteers, the consequences could have been dire.

“He would have drowned. There is not much doubt in my mind,’’ he said.

Police Inspector Grant Twining praised the actions of those who rendered assistance to the man.

“I’m in awe of the quick response, of the presence of mind, which gave breathing space and time to respond by police,’’ he said.

Inspector Twining said he had spoken with the man’s mother yesterday, and said he was appreciative of those who helped him, if not a little embarrassed.

He said it was a reminder for people to be conscious of their surroundings, and for revellers to have people to look out for them.

The incident comes after two deaths at the waterfront in recent months.

Police divers found the submerged body of Victorian man Jarrod Davies, 27, about 30m from Elizabeth Street Pier, earlier this month.

The tragic discovery came just three months after the death of talented cardiothoracic surgical trainee Robert Xu, 32, in water off Victoria Dock.

The incidents have raised questions about safety hazards at the waterfront, with the idea of further safety measures being raised.

Anna Reynolds Hobart City Council Mayor. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

But Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds ruled out supporting barriers or fencing.

“I’m very conscious this is the jurisdiction of Tasports and we want to work as well as we can with them and Tasmania Police to see if there’s anything further we can do to help,’’ she said.

Mr Stainsby said the Street Team has been in place for more than five years, with people volunteering their time each Friday and Saturday night between 10pm to 3am.

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A Government spokesman said safety on Hobart’s waterfront is a priority for Tasports, with a range of measures in place.

“The wharf is an iconic part of Hobart and it needs to be dealt with sensitively,’’ he said.

“TasPorts will continue to openly and actively engage with key stakeholders, including the Hobart City Council, to ensure safety for all waterfront users.”

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