Several witnesses to a boating accident in Safety Beach yesterday have been hailed as ‘heroes’ after they dived into water to rescue a young child trapped under an overturned boat, Victoria Police say.
It is believed the 54-year-old boat owner accidentally drove his boat into the pier just after 1pm yesterday.
The boat hit the pier and overturned, throwing the owner and another man in his 50s clear.
An 11-year-old boy was quickly rescued but a seven-year-old girl was trapped under the boat in the water.
Several witnesses to the incident entered the water to rescue the Doncaster girl.
Unable to get leverage under the boat, it is believed they worked frantically to pull the girl through a hatch as her lifejacket and anchor equipment were entangled.
Both children and one of the rescuers were treated for ingestion of large amounts of water.
The children were taken to hospital for observations, the owner of the boat and an adult relative were unharmed in the incident.
Police intend to nominate the main rescuers for an award for their courageous efforts.
