Rabbitohs playmaker Jayden Sullivan has been praised for his quick thinking in helping a family in distress after their kayaks capsized at Windang Channel.
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The family found themselves in trouble at about 1pm on Sunday.
Thankfully, the incident took place while a NSW Maritime jetski and boat was patrolling Lake Illawarra and carrying out safety checks as part of a two-day safety and compliance blitz named ‘Operation Cool Your Jets’.
The family of five, including three children under 12 years of age, were on two kayaks heading downstream towards Berrwarra Point when one of the kayaks capsized.
The father tried to help but fell out of his kayak in doing so, leaving the whole family in the water in a strong current with the outgoing tide.
Fortunately, all members of the family were wearing a lifejacket.
NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officer Sam Bryant, who was on patrol on a jetski, was able to assist before a second Boating Safety Officer responded in a NSW Maritime vessel.
The family were able to make it to the rocks on Berrwarra Point, although one of the children continued to drift towards the bar and was saved by another relative nearby in a tinny.
As for where Sullivan comes in, he happened to be fishing close by and was quick to help, retrieving the kayak and paddle before helping rescue the four other members of the family on the rocks along with Boating Safety Officer Bryant.
Bryant praised Sullivan for going “above and beyond” to help prevent what could have been a potentially tragic outcome, while also crediting the family for all wearing lifejackets.
“A massive thanks to the family involved in retrieving the young girl from the water and to Jayden for their help,” Bryant said.
“Today was a great outcome, and reinforces the importance of lifejackets, especially with children and on kayaks.
“Jayden put the young boy and father on his vessel as his boat was getting smashed up against the rocks along with his prop. I put the young girl and mother on the jetski and we were able to get the whole family safely to shore.
“He went above and beyond to assist the family and deserves massive praise for the way he put the family that were rescued first above his own safety and his vessel.
“Our Maritime team had a chat with the family, who are visiting the area and made them aware of the dangers surrounding the area of Winding channel, in particular with outgoing tides.”
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