Teen fighting for life after drowning incident in Tasmania

  • Girl, 15, in critical condition at Mersey Community Hospital on Tuesday
  • The teen was swimming in a popular Tasmanian beach when she got in trouble  
  • Her friend, also in difficulty, reached the shore and was treated by paramedics
  • Police ‘urge all people to take caution when swimming in open waters’
  • Police are seeking any witnesses to the incident

A 15-year-old girl is fighting for her life in hospital following an incident in the waters off Tasmania’s north coast on Monday afternoon.

The teenager was pulled from the water by police and bystanders who dived in to save her when she and a friend got into trouble.

Her friend, also struggling in the water, managed to reach the coast before emergency services arrived and treated her for shock and minor abrasions.

Two bystanders rushed into the surf after witnessing the teen’s struggle with police claiming their heroic actions could have been the difference between life and death.

The teen was pulled from the water on Tasmania’s northwest coast by police and bystanders

Police officers and the Devonport Surf Club then joined forces and deployed their rescue boat to pull the teenager out.

In a statement, Inspector Stuart Wilkinson thanked the heroes of the day.

‘The gratitude of our community should go to the two men who bravely entered the water without hesitation and potentially saved this young girl’s life’.

After being rescued, the 15-year-old girl was treated by Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Police members on the beach for some time.  

Emergency services rushed the teenager to Mersey Community Hospital where she is still in a critical condition on Tuesday morning.

The 15-year-old girl is fighting for her life at the Mersey Community Hospital

The 15-year-old girl is fighting for her life at the Mersey Community Hospital

‘Changing weather conditions pose a risk to all water users and swimmers in Tasmanian waters’, reminded Inspector Wilkinson after the incident.  

Acknowledging the work done by rescuers, he then asked the community to be careful. 

‘We urge all people to take caution when swimming in open waters and be mindful of currents, winds and to be aware of the often quickly changing conditions which may lead to tragic events such as this.’ 

Police are seeking any witnesses to the incident and request that they contact the Devonport Police Station on 64784011 or the police assistance line on 131444.

 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk