By SHAUNA ANDERSON
Somewhere in Melbourne is hero – a man whose image is being broadcast from TV screens and is on the pages of the newspaper.
The man who saved a mother and daughter – just three-years old from drowning yesterday afternoon after a mother tragically jumped into the Yarra River with her daughter in her arms.
A man who deserves the thanks of many of this woman’s loved ones for being so selfless in her time of need.
A hero.
It was mid afternoon when the man tore off his clothes and dived into the freezing river at Southbank to rescue the woman and her daughter.
Nine News report that the woman had boarded the Williamstown Ferry at 12.30pm which then travelled to Southbank. Crew members became concerned about her when she locked herself in the bathroom for the entire journey. The skipper told The Herald Sun
“I kept knocking on the door and asking if she was OK and she kept saying she was fine,”
“I just assumed something had happened and she was embarrassed and didn’t want to come out.”
When the boat had been docked for over five minutes he knocked again and asked her to come out.
When she did emerge The Age reports she refused to exit through the usual area saying that it was “the gates of hell”.
According to The Leader the mother then walked to the other side of the boat from where passengers disembark, removed the safety rail and jumped into the water with her daughter in her arms.
It was then that this man – a fellow passenger ripped off his shirt and without hesitation dove into the river rescuing the tiny girl. After bringing the tiny girl, who at three would surely have drowned, in to shore he then went back for her mother.
Nine News had witness reports who said that the mother did not want to climb up the ladder and just clung to the man who had rescued her. Reports are that the two were not injured.
The mother and daughter were taken to hospital for evaluation. Nine News called the mother’s action a “psychological episode”.
Police Sergeant Darren Wright told The Herald Sun “It’s cold conditions and rescuing a three-year-old, who probably wouldn’t have any swimming skills … he did an incredibly heroic job.”
We are sure that many many of her loved ones would today like to thank the brave passenger who did not hesitate to rescue this mother and daughter. It is actions like his that renew our faith in the human spirit.
If you need help there are many organisations that can assist
on 13 11 14
Contact Kid’s Helpline on 1800 551 800
Visit Parentline ‘s web site for each state’s number
Contact SANE Australia on 1800 187 263
Top Comments
That poor woman, and I'm sad for the child, for having gone through this experience. This woman could be a wonderful mother, who has been dealing with a mental illness heroically right up until she couldn't anymore. We are not ourselves when in the grip of mental illness, and sometimes we aren't safe. But this woman needs care, support and help. A decision like jumping off a ferry comes from either a place of utter desperation or from a complete lack of insight that may be caused by psychosis or severe anxiety. She shouldn't be condemned for being in this position, and people making offensive and misinformed commentary need to have a think about it.
Thank you for saying this.
Both our exes have mental illnesses. It's a huge call to keep the kids from them. Luckily all our kids are older and therefore can have mental illness and personal boundaries explained, as well as a plan for what to do if things go 'awry' whilst they are visiting. However, if they were younger, we would definitely not have allowed them to go (overnight) at various stages of the illness.
I think you have to take each person and each illness on it's own merits. Making a decision to withold a child is huge and as a parent, deciding when your child will be safe v's unsafe with their other parent is incredibly difficult. What if we're wrong just once?
I feel for people with mental illnesses who seek help. I find it difficult to feel for the ones who choose to ignore their illness when they have family, friends, and even exes willing to support their treatment.
The problem with mental illness is that the person with it doesn't know they are sick.
Asking someone to identify their own mental illness and take steps to fix it is akin to getting someone to walk on a broken leg.
You're right. That can sometimes be the case. Not in our case, but I can imagine it happens.