A teenaged surfer has told NBN News he is ‘lucky to be alive’ after being swept out to sea off Redhead Beach, yesterday afternoon.
17-year-old Beauyn Crew was surfing with a friend, when he lost his board, got caught in a rip and was swept half a kilometre offshore.
His friend returned to shore and raised the alarm just before 6.30 last night.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter scoured the coast, before the crews’ doctor found Beauyn floating 100 metres from shore, obviously exhausted.
He was winched to safety, treated for exhaustion and taken to John Hunter Hospital for observation.
Inspector Cheryl Day from Lake Macquarie Police District says the incident could have quickly turned to disaster.
“Had it not been for the swift response of emergency services, we could have had an extremely tragic event here today,” she said.
Beauyn is now out of hospital, a little shaken but thankful to be alive.
“I’d like to thank everybody involved in the situation,” he said.
“I’m still at a loss for words and confused about what has happened but without all these people involved I would not be here today.”
“I am extremely luck to have survived and been pulled out so quickly.”
Beauyn recounts his terrifying ordeal to reporter Sam Burbury tonight at 6pm.
