Eight months after being pulled unconscious from the surf, Sydney surfer Andrew Bowe was finally able to meet and thank his rescuers.
Key Point:
- Andrew Bowe was pulled from the water in Sydney in February
- Ted Strong and Will Pamplin of Port Macquarie were at the Surf Boat Carnival when they rescued Mr. Bowe.
- Mr Bowe presented them with the Surf Life Saving Australia Rescue Medal.
Port Macquarie residents Ted Strong, 15, and Will Pamplin, 16, had just “literally arrived” at Cronulla Beach to attend the Surf Boat Carnival.
“We thought we were the lifeguards under the tower, and we could hear people yelling and yelling at us,” Ted said.
Teenagers thought they were being yelled at for “did something wrong” until they saw someone lying face down in the water.
Ted, who was in his first season as a Bronze member, said he and Will were nervous at first, but knew they would help.
“We took our clothes off when we ran and swam out as fast as we could,” he said.
“It was pretty scary at first, but it was okay to go inside and I’m glad he survived.”
The teenagers took Bau to the beach, which happened to be two off-duty paramedics, and performed CPR.
A 57-year-old father recovering from a near-death experience wanted to meet rescue workers in person.
A medical ban on driving after his experience prevented him from ever driving.
“It’s been expected for a long time, and it’s kind of contradictory. They were the first people on the scene, but they might be the last people I was able to see face to face.” ” said Bowe.
He communicated with the boys only through their mothers prior to the visit and gifted the boys with Surf Life Saving Australia Rescue Medals.
He said he came to Port Macquarie and Bonny Hills not knowing what to expect.
“For me, it was a journey to come here and say thank you,” he said.
Before meeting the boys, the only image Mr. Bowe had of them was a picture in a local newspaper of them standing on the beach at a carnival.
“The boys have grown in size, height and maturity,” Bau said.
Bau said he didn’t want those who saved him to think that what they did that day wasn’t appreciated or recognized.
“But I got a chance to go back and talk to them and they said I didn’t have a brain injury, I didn’t have broken ribs, I didn’t have any internal injuries, and what you trained [for] And what you applied in my case worked, so I think it was certainly helpful to me and certainly good for them.
Ted said he was a little nervous meeting Mr. Bowe because he didn’t know what to say to him.
“Hopefully I can be friends with him forever,” he said.
“It’s really nice to see him fit, healthy and living a fulfilling life.”
Bowe wanted to keep in touch.
“The players don’t know yet, but I’m sure there will be surprise shows on the 18th and 21st, with all the great stuff they have in front of them.
