Young Declan comes to the rescue ... again

WHEN you get into serious trouble, teenager Declan Draper is the kid you want by your side.

In the past four years, the 15-year-old from Triabunna has saved the lives of two people in separate freak accidents.

The latest happened on Tuesday when Jim McCreary, 85, accidentally drove off the Triabunna Wharf, plunging his wagon into icy waters that flooded the car. Declan and mate Jayden Silver, on the other side of the marina, bounded into action.

“We get in the dinghy and go over for a look and I was stripping down because

I thought the car was right underwater,” Declan recounted yesterday.

“I was pretty scared for Jim, that we couldn’t get him out, but then I saw the window was down, so I was pretty happy [about that].”

Other members of the public, noticing a Subaru Liberty wagon spear into the water and wedge next to a fishing boat, rushed to offer assistance.

“Dan [Hursey] got on the roof of the car and put a rope around [Mr McCreary] and we pulled him up on the boat and called an ambulance,” Declan said.

“He was pretty shocked … he couldn’t get out because he was so shocked.”

The accident happened about 4pm when Mr McCreary was doing a U-turn on the Esplanade next to the marina.

“My foot slipped off the brake on to the accelerator which drove the car across the walkway down there and in and nearly under a big fishing boat,” he said.

“I was worried the car was going to go further under the fishing boat and I didn’t know how I was going to get out.”

The Orford resident said it was actually the second time he had driven into the drink, which might explain why he stayed calm during the 30minute ordeal.

“I didn’t panic, I undid the seatbelt …. the water was pouring in,” he said.

“I waited till the water got up to a certain level and then pressed the button and got the window open and got my hands out and called out.

“The boys ... got a rope and a dinghy. I couldn’t speak more highly of them.”

Senior Constable Daniel Lamont praised the rescuers and Mr McCreary for keeping his cool.

“They are to be highly commended, they did everything calmly, contacted triple-0, worked through the scenario and, luckily for Jim, they were at the scene,” he said.

“[Mr McCreary] remained very calm, didn’t panic, kept all the doors closed and assessed what was going to happen.”

In 2013, Declan came to the aid of a disability pensioner who had fallen into Lake Leake and was unable to get out.

Allan Fazackerly believed he would have died but for the actions of Declan, who was awarded a Pride of Australia Medal for his courage.