Dad with 'no real swimming experience' drowns at beach trying to save sons who appeared to be struggling
YALLINGUP BEACH, AUSTRALIA: A father from Perth drowned trying to save his two teenage sons at Yallingup Beach, Western Australia on October 1, 2022.
St John Ambulance paramedics were called up to the beach which is located three hours south of Perth at 5.30 pm on the same evening. The man was in his 50s and was retrieved from the water soon after the incident. The beachgoers even attempted to save him. However, according to the people present, the 55-year-old man was far from getting rescued.
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According to South West WA Acting Superintendant John Bouwman, the father from Morley, Perth believed his two teenage sons were struggling in the water and swam out in order to save them. "To him, they looked like they were struggling in the water, and unfortunately, he drowned trying to save them," the cop said to ABC on October 3, 2022. "The dad had no real swimming experience. Like most parents do, they go to the aid of their kids when they're struggling, thinking they can try and save them. But the boys were fine, and unfortunately, he wasn't," he later added.
Lifeguards were reportedly not present because of the lateness of the event. The children, aged 13 and 15, were rescued without any injury.
Soon after the tragic occurrence, Surf Life Saving WA general manager Chris Peck requested the public to stay vigilant when they approach the water as summer is impending. While he did not speak directly about the incident, he made his message known to the public. "We do have a bit of a mantra in our organization, that's whether you're boating, swimming or surfing, it's called respecting the ocean and understanding what the conditions are going to be like," he said. "We would say to people that if you're in an unfamiliar area, and you're not sure about your own capability then make a decision perhaps to not to go out in those particular areas," Peck added. He ended the announcement with, "Everyone stay safe this summer and get some information and just have a think about what you're doing before you go into the water, that'd be our message."
