When Nick Papadopoulos was setting up his fishing rod, he didn’t think he would soon be leaping into the water to save four people from drowning.
However, along with those saved on the day, Mr Papadopoulos was one of the lucky ones, considering he doesn’t know how to swim.
Earlier this month at Carrum Bay, known to be a tranquil swimming spot, the 31-year-old reported hearing screaming.
Instantly he was jerked into action, running down a 10 metre rock wall towards the water where he saw the victims – a father and three girls, all under the age of 10, being sucked into the deep channel.
Thankfully not alone, another gentleman passing by the scene helped Mr Papadopoulos swim out to the victims, assisting him in bringing them back to safety.
“It was like instinct, like a puppy,” he told the Herald Sun.
“You throw a puppy in and they start doing doggy paddle. I was kicking all fours but I got there.”
He recalls reaching the oldest girl, who was the furthest away. Urging her to swim towards him, she cried in distress, “I’m dying, I’m dying, please help me”.
“Before I got any closer I said ‘please don’t drown me’ in a soft voice. That stopped her and calmed her down so she could grab on to me,” he said.
Although many are calling him crazy for jumping into the water while not knowing how to swim, the Carrum Surf Life Saving Club thanked Mr Papadopoulos for his act of bravery, offering him free swimming lessons at the club.
Despite the positive outcome of the rescue, the event does not come without warning.
Swimmers are bring urged to be extra careful whether at a surf or bayside beach, and to take note of any warning signs.
“It’s when people are complacent that they get into the most trouble,” said club secretary, Ben Rooks.
Additionally, anyone setting out to rescue someone who appears to be in danger is reminded that they should not be putting their own life at risk.
Source: Herald Sun