Bethells heroes honoured for rescue
A selfless decision to stay behind after their shift led to two lifeguards preventing a mass drowning at a notorious west Auckland beach.
Last night, lifeguards Dean Maddaford and Shane Dwyer were honoured for their efforts at the Surf Life Saving Awards in Wellington, after their heroic rescue at Bethells Beach t in February.
Maddaford, who was involved in the search for Warriors player Sonny Fai in 2009, said it had been his most extreme rescue because of the difficult conditions and number of people involved.
The volunteer lifeguards were offduty when they spotted a group of people struggling in the water.
‘‘We had packed up the patrol for the day and often we stay down there a little bit longer just to keep an eye on people,’’ Maddaford said.
Dwyer said rough conditions meant they were already on high alert.
‘‘It was a horrible, horrible day at the beach. So we were kind of aware something would happen.’’
A group of six men, aged 18-25, was still in the water when things quickly took a turn for the worse.
‘‘They were swimming up to their waist and within seconds they started flailing around with their arms in the air,’’ Maddaford said.
‘‘The rip was so fast that it took them probably about 200-300 metres off shore.’’
What followed was a rescue against the odds.
‘‘There was really no way they could have swum back to the shore,’’ Dwyer said.
Maddaford and Dwyer took an inflatable rescue boat out to the swimmers who were being ‘‘pounded by waves that were three to four metres high’’ continued going back and forth to the beach until they had picked up every swimmer in treachorous conditions.
They were assisted by James Newland and Robin Hammond.
Both men are grateful for being recognised for their efforts but say they are simply relieved to have been there at the right time.
‘‘To be honest, if we hadn’t been there, I would say at least four of them would have drowned,’’ Dwyer said.