Lot 1711

Description

Royal Humane Society of NSW Bronze Medal, (1991), reverse inscribed, 'A.McLeod/18.2.91'. Uncirculated.

RHS Case 26 - Bronze Medal to Anthony McLeod, 75 Marine Drive, Tea Gardens for the rescue of a man from the surf at Hawks Nest Beach.

Case details: At about 4.30pm on 18th February 1991, a man was swimming in the surf at Hawks Nest Beach. At the time the surf was very rough, with waves about 4 metres in height and a strong current running. Suddenly, the man was dragged out to sea by a rip and, being a large man, relatively unfit and a poor swimmer, he was soon in trouble. He called out for help as he struggled to keep afloat in the rough seas.

Anthony McLeod was sitting on the beach when he heard the calls for help. By now the man was beyond the last breakers, a distance of approximately 100 metres from shore. Mr McLeod immediately entered the surf and swam out into the rip to the man's aid. He took hold of the man and commenced swimming to shore. As he was doing so, the man regained consciousness and began to struggle. In his panic he climbed onto the back of Mr McLeod, a slightly built man, forcing him under the water for quite long periods of time.

Some time later, and with no other help, Mr McLeod was able to bring the man to shore safely, where he placed him in the recovery position and immediately left the beach to call for medical assistance. About 10 minutes later ambulance paramedics arrived and treated the man who was conscious but having trouble breathing. He was then conveyed to a nearby doctor's surgery, and later allowed to leave, suffering no ill effects.

Police have praised Anthony NcLeod's actions and feel the swimmer would most certainly have perished if not for his brave and unselfish actions.

With copy of above RHS record in folder.