A dramatic rescue unfolded at North Narrabeen when a man was swept into the water after being knocked off the rocks. Emergency teams sprang into action, quickly pulling the man from the surf and bringing him to safety.
Though he was exhausted and appeared intoxicated, he was taken to hospital for further observation.
The Alarm Rings Early
At around 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, 8 February emergency services received a call about a man in trouble in the water near North Narrabeen rock pool. The call came before surf patrols had begun, prompting a swift response from NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, and Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW).
Quick Action Saves the Day
Northern Beaches Police were the first on the scene. They spotted the man, in his 40s, floating about 50 metres from the shore. Local surfers had managed to get a flotation device to him, but the man struggled to swim back against the powerful waves crashing around the rocks.
At 8:15 a.m., NSW Ambulance , including Inspector Christian Holmes, and Narrabeen Ambulance Station arrived. The SLSNSW’s first team followed at the scene.
The first IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) launched at 8:30am, just as the Toll NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter arrived above the scene to assist.
North Narrabeen Rescue Just in Time
The IRB crew reached the man in the surf and pulled him to safety, just as the helicopter hovered overhead. He was brought back to shore, where paramedics quickly assessed his condition. Though exhausted, he appeared to have avoided serious injuries.
Medical Evaluation and Hospital Transport
Despite his close call, the man was showing signs of intoxication and fatigue. After being transferred to an all-terrain vehicle, he was driven to the car park near Birdwood Park, where an ambulance awaited.
Paramedics transported him to Northern Beaches Hospital for further observation. While he was expected to recover, doctors would continue to monitor his condition for any complications.
A Close Call, A Reminder of the Ocean’s Dangers
The rescue is a powerful reminder of how quickly things can go wrong near the ocean, particularly around rocky areas. The quick response from emergency services saved the man’s life, highlighting the critical importance of well-coordinated rescue efforts in such dangerous conditions.
Published 13-Feb-2025
