An off-duty police officer jumped into the water to rescue two swimmers in trouble off Rosebud Pier in Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula yesterday afternoon.
A 31-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, from Traralgon, were on a family outing when they decided to go for a swim at about 4.10pm.
However, the teen had minimal swimming experience and quickly began to struggle.
The man tried to help, but both began swallowing water and began drifting away from the pier.
Senior Constable Frank Ferreria, who was walking with his family along the pier ahead of his overnight shift, noticed the pair were in a dire situation and jumped into the water fully clothed.
Ferreria, an experienced swimmer, managed to pull both people to safety and return them to pier, where they were treated by paramedics.
Ambulance officers said without Ferreria’s heroics, they feared both the man and boy could have drowned.
The family also offered the senior constable their heartfelt thanks.
Ferreria, who was still able to get to his overnight shift on time, said he was happy to have helped.
“I don’t think I did anything overly heroic,” he said.
“I saw some people in trouble and it’s just instinct to dive in there and try to help.”
In the wake of the incident, police are also alerting swimmers to be aware of water safety – to not overestimate their abilities or underestimate the risks.
