Bundaberg surf life saver recognised for rescue

A surf life saver who saved the lives of four people at Burnett Heads last year has been recognised for her brave actions.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt presented Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club member Teisha Towner with the National Rescue of the Month award at Parliament House today.

“Without the action and advanced rescue skills displayed by Teisha there could have been a very different outcome for the swimmers on that day in October,” Mr Pitt said.

“Today’s award is well and truly deserved and it was my honour to be able to present it to Teisha here in Canberra.

“As a former surf lifesaver, I appreciate the superb job our surf life savers carry out on our local beaches and the dedication they show to their job,” he said.

Mr Pitt was a surf life saver for more than 10 years and is a member of Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving.

Excerpt from citation:

Teisha was packing up after her lifeguard shift at Oaks Beach, Burnett Heads on Saturday October 1, 2016, when she noticed four people being quickly swept away in a rip current.

Teisha grabbed a rescue board and paddled out through rough conditions to the two children and two adults that were struggling to remain above the waterline.

Two of the patients were able to grab onto the rescue board while the other two needed assistance to latch on to the board.

Unable to paddle the board back to shore, Teisha managed to squeeze the children on top of the board and float towards the safety of nearby rocks. Paramedics arrived and assessed the patient’s wellbeing whom were all in good health, albeit a little upset and shaken up from the rescue.