Off-duty Lifeguard Rescues Woman At Maroubra Beach

By Dan Hutton on April 7, 2011 in News

Photo: Grant Brooks

An off-duty Randwick City Council Lifeguard rescued a woman at Maroubra Beach on Monday, April 5.

Lifeguard Pat Falzon was walking his dog at Maroubra Beach at about 5.30pm after the beach closed at 5pm.

He noticed a woman struggling in the surf and immediately went to her assistance keeping her afloat for 40 minutes until a lifeguard jetski and Surf Life Saving dinghy arrived.

Randwick Mayor Murray Matson applauded the efforts of the lifeguard.

“What Pat did to keep this woman afloat until assistance could arrive showed great courage and commitment,” Mayor Matson said.

“As a community we are privileged to have such dedicated lifeguards working to protect the safety of all beachgoers – whether on duty or not.

“This season has been one of the worst in recent years at Maroubra Beach with two people drowning and heavy swells and dangerous rips closing the beach on numerous occasions.

“I’d like to remind people again to never take the ocean for granted – swim between the flags and swim during patrol hours.”

Maroubra and Coogee beaches are patrolled between 7am and 5pm.