Hero lifesavers who whisked a woman away from her potential wet grave have opened up about the moment they saved her.
‘Born and bred’ locals of the pristine eastern suburbs of Sydney used quick-thinking techniques and knowledge of their local beach to save the 34-year-old.
The swimmer was ‘seconds’ from death at Bronte Beach when she was pulled to safety by Andrew Reid, Troy Stewart, Wally Eggleton and Anthony Carroll – all legends of the area.
‘Born and bred’ locals of the pristine eastern suburbs of Sydney used quick-thinking techniques and knowledge of their local beach to save the 34-year-old
Troy Stewart (middle) said the swimmer was very distressed as she had been hit by quite a few waves and was close to the rocks
Ten-foot waves battered down on the shores of Bronte just before seven on Thursday morning.
With most of the beaches in New South Wales beaten by the wild conditions, the lifeguards were yet to set up the safety flags and lay out the rescue equipment for the day ahead.
‘We were actually just looking out and checking the conditions to see how we would set up the beach and a massive set rolled in,’ Bronte lifeguard Andrew Reid told the Daily Mail Australia.
The the lifeguards were yet to set up the safety flags and lay out the rescue equipment for the day ahead
Troy Stewart (pictured) is a personal trainer from Bronte, he had just finished his morning class when he locked eyes on the struggling woman at the notorious swim spot Bogey Hole.
At that moment, the surf lifesaver turned to his colleague and joked ‘wouldn’t want to be out in that today’.
As he finished that sentence, he noticed a struggling swimmer being pulled under by treacherous swell.
‘I started running down and saw she was in a precarious spot copping 10-foot sets, she looked tiny and all I could think was how did she get out there?
Mr Reid: ‘I’ve seen a lot of people drown and I can say I think she was going under for the last time,’
Troy then launched himself in to the wild waters using the rip to reach her sooner and save her life
‘I’ve seen a lot of people drown and I can say I think she was going under for the last time,’ Mr Reid said, ‘But then Troy got to her and pulled her up, it was amazing to see.’
Bronte resident, Troy Stewart – who is a personal trainer – had just finished his morning class when he locked eyes on the struggling woman at the notorious swim spot Bogey Hole.
‘I’ve seen people be swept out the ‘side’ of the bogey hole but never have I seen someone get swept out the ‘back’,’ Troy said.
Bronte lifeguard Andrew Reid: ‘We were actually just looking out and checking the conditions to see how we would set up the beach and a massive set rolled in’
‘My first reaction was to notify the boys (lifeguards) but then I realised I was closer and how serious the situation was given the size of the waves and the rip so I just stripped off and went in.’
Troy then launched himself in to the wild waters using the rip to reach her sooner.
‘She was very distressed as she had been hit by quite a few waves and was close to the rocks,’ Troy said.
Troy isn’t a lifeguard but said he has received messages of recognition for the dramatic rescue hailing him a life-saver.
‘I tried to calm her down and held her up and the boys were there in seconds.
‘After the rescue I scurried up the beach to have a quick shower and make sure I was ready for my next client.’
Troy isn’t a lifeguard but said he has received messages of recognition for the dramatic rescue hailing him a life-saver.
He said: ‘I am glad the lady is OK and apparently she is also a local. I’ll give her a big hug when I get back’.
Despite the treacherous conditions and lack of equipment the 36-year-old said ‘was very confident’ in his own safety and wouldn’t advise others to risk their life.
Both Bronte and Bondi beach remain closed down to of the rough conditions on Friday.
Wally Eggleton (pictured) also rushed to save the 34-year-old ocean swimmer on Thursday morning