Five surfers have been recognised with bravery awards after they assisted in the rescue of several people when a boat capsized at the Narooma bar crossing on April 3, 2015.
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Joe Nugent and Daniel Simpson will receive the Bravery Medal as they duck-dived under the boat to save a trapped girl, while a Commendation for Brave Conduct will go to Kane Mood, Dan Efraemson and Shane Barrow, who assisted the others from the boat.
All five were surfing at South Bar Beach, Narooma and witnessed a small fishing boat attempting to cross the Narooma Bar. The swell was around 3 metres high. A wave coming from behind the vessel swamped it, causing it to capsize and throw all five passengers overboard. Two were thrown clear of the boat, one was clinging to the front of the vessel and two were trapped underneath the upturned boat.
Joe and two of his friends quickly located a passenger in the water and he was assisted to shore by one of the surfers. He and his friend Daniel could hear screaming coming from underneath the bow of the boat. They both swam under the vessel and located a young female who was trapped in an air pocket and, due to her life jacket inflating, was unable to escape.
Joe and Daniel repeatedly went under the boat to try to rescue the victim. On about their sixth attempt they were able to grab her, pulling her down and out from under the vessel and assisted her to shore.
The three other surfers located another passenger hanging onto the front of the capsized vessel and two other passengers in the surf nearby. Together they guided the three victims back to shore and with the help of other bystanders they observed and supported the passengers until emergency services arrived.
Joe and Daniel graduated from Narooma High School in 2012 and are now both away studying. Joe studies Architecture at University of Canberra, while Daniel studies Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wollongong.
Daniel said he still regularly thinks of the accident and the drama of that day. The two lads remain friends and go surfing together back at Narooma every chance they get.
It is anticipated that the boys will be going to Canberra to receive their medals from the Governor General.
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
