Re: 04/08/2008 Peter Edmonds (Australia) ***Fatal***
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:05 pm
Shark terror gong for Pete's best friend
Maria Lewis
July 29th, 2008
MORE than three months after Wollongbar teenager Brock Curtis-Matthew tried to save his best mate from being mauled by a shark, there is little doubt in anyone's mind that he is a hero.
In recognition of his efforts, the Royal Lifesaving Society is presenting Brock with a bravery award which is to be given to him at Government House in Sydney by the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir.
Brock's mother, Victoria Matthew, told The Bulletin yesterday that her son was surprised when he heard about the award.
"He said 'Mum, it's pretty cool but I'd give it up to have Peter back'," she said. "I was really, really proud of him ... I can't even describe what he's been through.
"What he did was an incredible thing but we all miss Peter a lot.
"He's just a normal kid who did something pretty amazing."
On a Tuesday morning, April 8, Brock was surfing with fellow Alstonville High Scool Year 11 student Peter when the friend who introduced him to surfing was attacked by what is thought to have been a big bull shark.
After seeing his mate wave for help, Brock re-entered the surf and paddled through the bloodied water in a bid to rescue Peter.
Brock managed to get Peter to shore, began CPR and called for help on his mobile phone.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Peter was pronounced dead on the beach as a result of two large shark bites.
The attack occurred about 70m from shore, just north of the Richmond River wall at Lighthouse Beach.
Northern NSW Lifeguard co-ordinator Stephen Leahy was in charge of the beaches at the time of the incident and has been involved in several recent patrols after sightings of large sharks throughout the Ballina area over the past three months.
Mr Leahy said he was glad Brock was receiving formal recognition for his efforts.
"To witness something like that would be absolutely horrendous and obviously my heart really does go out to this young fellow who did everything possible to save his friend," he said.
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/200 ... -news.html
Maria Lewis
July 29th, 2008
MORE than three months after Wollongbar teenager Brock Curtis-Matthew tried to save his best mate from being mauled by a shark, there is little doubt in anyone's mind that he is a hero.
In recognition of his efforts, the Royal Lifesaving Society is presenting Brock with a bravery award which is to be given to him at Government House in Sydney by the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir.
Brock's mother, Victoria Matthew, told The Bulletin yesterday that her son was surprised when he heard about the award.
"He said 'Mum, it's pretty cool but I'd give it up to have Peter back'," she said. "I was really, really proud of him ... I can't even describe what he's been through.
"What he did was an incredible thing but we all miss Peter a lot.
"He's just a normal kid who did something pretty amazing."
On a Tuesday morning, April 8, Brock was surfing with fellow Alstonville High Scool Year 11 student Peter when the friend who introduced him to surfing was attacked by what is thought to have been a big bull shark.
After seeing his mate wave for help, Brock re-entered the surf and paddled through the bloodied water in a bid to rescue Peter.
Brock managed to get Peter to shore, began CPR and called for help on his mobile phone.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Peter was pronounced dead on the beach as a result of two large shark bites.
The attack occurred about 70m from shore, just north of the Richmond River wall at Lighthouse Beach.
Northern NSW Lifeguard co-ordinator Stephen Leahy was in charge of the beaches at the time of the incident and has been involved in several recent patrols after sightings of large sharks throughout the Ballina area over the past three months.
Mr Leahy said he was glad Brock was receiving formal recognition for his efforts.
"To witness something like that would be absolutely horrendous and obviously my heart really does go out to this young fellow who did everything possible to save his friend," he said.
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/200 ... -news.html