Dramatic rescue at IronWoman Series trial after competitor kicked unconscious

Brown managed to put her arm underneath O’Sullivan to keep her head above water before signalling for help. The two competitors were taken ashore with the teenager regaining consciousness soon after.

Brown’s selfless actions were commended by the Surf Life Saving community on Monday, with SLSA National Sport Manager Wayne Druery saying the 24-year-old actions “epitomised” everything the sport was about.

“Ella sacrificed her own race to help a fellow competitor in the true spirit of what surf lifesaving is about, she is an outstanding role model and deserves to be acknowledged,” he said.

“Once back on the beach Lily was seen by the first aid and medial officers and was thankfully fine and able to go home.”

Brown said she trained around 20 hours a week in the lead up for the race after making her debut in the series four years ago.

But despite missing out on her shot at the finals, she felt more “accomplished and rewarded” by her actions than she would have to finish the trial race.

“We are day-in, day-out training but then also on the other side of things we do our volunteer patrols,” she said. “The essence of our sport is to be there to support people. That if they get in trouble in the water we know what to do.”

Brown said she was a “bit emotional” after performing the rescue, saying her adrenaline was puming and she was in a state of shock over what had occurred.

“At that point, I was more concerned for how she was, to make sure that she was okay,” Brown said.

“At that point, the race was the furthest thing from my mind.”

Loading

It was O’Sullivan’s first attempt at the IronWoman Series and said she would “hate to think” about what could have happened if Brown didn’t stop to assist.

“I can’t thank her enough,” O’Sullivan said. “All I remember is getting near the first can with the lead girls in my swim and feeling a pain in my head and the next thing I remember is being in the IRB [Inflatable Rescue Boat] and Ella telling me that I was going to be okay.

“I am disappointed that it ended my race, but it makes me hungrier to get back out there and aim for next year’s series”.