First date a washout
Couple return to Fingal to thank their rescuers
WHAT started as a romantic dip in the ocean on a teenage couple’s first date turned into a nightmare when the pair were caught in a rip and almost drowned.
Returning to Fingal Head to thank surf lifesavers, the Queensland pair urged others to be vigilant and always swim between the flags.
Liam Towner, 19, and Emily McClymont, 18, had decided to drive from Ormeau to Dreamtime Beach for their first date on January 18.
They had not long been in the water when they were caught in a rip, in the same notorious area three people have lost their lives in the past three years.
“We were probably about thigh-deep, sitting around the rocks, when one big wave came, but we were fine,” Liam said.
“Straight after that another wave came and hit us ... we were probably then chestdeep and it dragged us out so quick.
“As soon as I knew we got dragged out, I said to Em that no matter what happens make sure you stay afloat.
“I couldn’t do much to get to the rocks – I was struggling to push (Emily) to the rocks ... I got pushed out 10m further than she did.”
While Emily managed to cling to the rocks before getting pushed back to shore by another wave, Liam was sent in the opposite direction, being dragged underneath the water by the strong current, which pushed him around the headland to Fingal Head Beach.
Liam was caught in the rip for 15-20 minutes.
“When I was around that cliff edge, I was being thrown around the rocks and dunked underneath,” he said.
“The waves were so big, I couldn’t stay up ... I was so close to passing out every single time.”
Eventually Liam was pushed out of the rip and the current brought him closer to shore, where he was rescued by lifeguards on duty.