2 December 2011

Dramatic Rescue in Water at Stanmore Bay

Details have just emerged of the heroics of a member of the public and a Rodney based police officer who in the dark of night rescued a 62 year old female from drowning.

Police say that at 9.45pm on Tuesday 29 November 2011, the female was sitting in her Silver Nissan SUV on the boat ramp at Stanmore Bay on the North Shore. She was sole occupant.

At the same time a member of the public Mr. Stephen Bibby, a resident of Stanmore Bay, was coming into the boat ramp on his small inflatable boat to retrieve it. Mr. Bibby saw the female occupant of the vehicle accelerate heavily into the water at an estimated speed of 40km/h. The SUV floated out into the water before it began to sink at a distance approximately 40 metres from the shoreline.

Mr. Bibby went and tried desperately to get the female occupant out of the vehicle while it was sinking. He was unable to do so. He eventually used a fire extinguisher to smash the rear window of the vehicle. At this stage the vehicle was almost fully submerged.

Constable Antony Hawkings arrived at the scene and he immediately swam the 40 metres to the scene to assist. The Police Officer climbed onto the roof of the vehicle and assisted Mr. Bibby to get the female occupant out of the car.

Rodney Police Area Commander Inspector Scott Webb says without doubt the woman would have drowned had it not been for the courage, determination and persistence of the two rescuers.

“There’s no chance that the female occupant would have been strong enough to break out of the vehicle and swim to safety. Mr. Bibby’s actions with the assistance of Constable Hawkings meant this rescue was successful, to what could otherwise have been an absolute tragedy,” he said.

The female occupant was taken to North Shore Hospital for observation and is receiving ongoing treatment.

ENDS

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