In a dramatic turn of events, a quick-thinking woman participating in a fitness group’s morning routine on a Pilbara beach courageously thwarted an attempted drowning allegedly carried out by a father, saving a young boy’s life.
The shocking incident unfolded around 6:15 am on Monday when beachgoers reported witnessing a man deliberately driving his vehicle into the ocean during low tide at the Dampier foreshore.
The fitness group, engaged in their exercise regimen at the picturesque location, included a woman who swiftly identified the life-threatening situation involving a five-year-old boy. Demonstrating remarkable courage, she intervened and engaged in a physical altercation with the man, landing several punches in an effort to protect the child, despite injuring her hand in the process.
Bystanders stepped in to ensure the boy’s safety before he was subsequently transported to the hospital. Initial reports indicate that the child emerged physically unharmed, albeit experiencing the effects of exposure to the cold seawater.
A woman in her 30s, suspected to be part of the fitness group, also sustained injuries while attempting to rescue the child. She was admitted to the Karratha Health Campus around 7:30 am, shortly after the boy’s arrival.
A spokesperson from the Western Australia Police Force commended the swift and courageous actions of the community members who selflessly intervened in this harrowing incident.
“At around 6:15 am this morning, police received reports from the community of a male attempting to drown his child at the Dampier foreshore,” the police spokesperson stated. “Members of the community intervened and recovered the child. On police arrival, the man was arrested and is now assisting police with their inquiries. The child was taken to the hospital for assessment, but early indications suggest the child was physically unharmed.”
The Western Australia Police Force extends its heartfelt gratitude to the brave individuals who played a pivotal role in preventing this tragic event from escalating further.
