OZ-SOME.. Irish cop hailed a hero after daring rescue of fisherman swept to sea
He slipped and I grabbed his wrist and held him up from falling in the ocean
AN Irish policeman in Australia has been hailed a hero on national TV after the daring rescue of a fisherman swept to sea by a freak wave.
Dramatic footage captured at the scene shows First Class Constable Rob Gaynor, originally from Co Louth, offering a strong hand to haul to safety the 28-year old man who had been clinging to rocks until help arrived.
In a heart-stopping moment, Const Gaynor grabs the wrist of the exhausted fisherman as he slips, saving him from falling back into the deep waters.
Luckily, the fisherman’s location had been pinpointed by a drone belonging to Perth photographer Anton Wilkinson who had spotted the man in the ocean after he was tossed by a rogue wave off rocks where he had been fishing.
The footage was broadcast on 7 News in Perth after the incident, which occurred earlier this month.
Speaking from Western Australia, the humble officer told how he knew time was of the essence when responding to the emergency call 10km away from Dunsborough Police Station, where he is based.
Const Gaynor said: “He was out fishing off Sugarloaf Rock and was wearing a life-jacket but the waves are so unpredictable and he was swept into the water.
“Luckily, it is a local beauty spot which attracts photographers and when I arrived Anton Wilkinson told me about the drone and I asked him if he’d guide me to where the fisherman was.
“It’s a bit of a cove, so he was washed off one side and was smashed against the rocks on the other. He was very tired and I didn’t know if he would have been able to hold himself up much longer.
“There was a bit of rock hopping, jumping and scrambling down what was a sheer rock face but I managed to find a small foothold and narrow passage to get to him.
“I was offering my hand to him when he slipped and I grabbed his wrist and held him up from falling back into the ocean. I don’t think we would’ve had much more time with the conditions and the fact that he was so fatigued. He had lacerations to his legs from being smashed against the rocks but we quickly got him to an ambulance at the scene.
“I’ve talked to him since and he’s doing OK but he is media shy.” Const Gaynor, 37, is originally from Monasterboice, where his family and friends were extremely proud of his actions.
The dad-of-three emigrated to Western Australia 12 years ago and worked as an architect technologist. Around six years ago he saw an advertisement for the police force and decided to apply.
He added: “I just saw an ad and decided to go for it.
“It was always something I wanted to do since I was a kid but didn’t have a chance in Ireland so I applied here and haven’t looked back once.
“You are definitely kept on your toes but I love it.
“Every police officer does things each day and you don’t know how it affects or changes people’s lives in a good way. “Since the dramatic rescue, Rob admits he can’t keep up with the messages flooding in from friends, family, and well-wishers all around the world.
Const Gaynor said: “There’s been a lot of reaction alright and a lot of messages coming in both to me and to my parents Anthony and Bernie at home in Monasterboice.
“It’s been great but I was just doing my job at the end of the day.”
CONST ROB GAYNOR PERTH YESTERDAY