Sometimes I like to look around the world, including the land down under, to see what is happening in their cultures.
I just ran across an incredible story of a brave 33-year-old named Brianna Hurst, who risked her own life to save three drowning men off the coast of southwestern Victoria.
It took place near Apollo Bay at Marengo, south of Lorne, on Sunday afternoon when a casual swim turned for the worse, for 4 men.
Brianna was unexpectedly thrust into the role of a hero. Sitting alone on the beach, she heard the panicked cries of a swimmer who had managed to reach the shore.
Without hesitation, Hurst sprinted towards the water and plunged in, swimming towards the three struggling men.
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“I went to the one that was closest to me,” she recounted. “I had to swim out about 20m to get him. He was much bigger than me and pretty heavy.”
Hurst pulled each unconscious man to safety one by one.
“At the start, there were not many other people on the beach, but by the time I was pulling the third person out, they were seeing what was happening and came to help,” Hurst recalled.
Working alongside other beachgoers, Hurst performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, one of the men could not be revived. However, Brianna’s heroic efforts undoubtedly saved the lives of the other two men, aged 23 and 24, both currently recovering in hospital.
Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Bull praised Hurst’s courageous efforts, acknowledging the undeniable impact of her selfless act.
“She put herself in danger to rescue people she didn’t know. It’s heroic,” he stated.
Here is her interview with a local Melbourne’s Today broadcast:
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