Point Lookout surf lifesavers rescue fisherman on North Stradbroke Island

A Point Lookout police spokesman said the man was one of three who were fishing near North Gorge at Point Lookout.

“One man caught a fish and the other two tried to help him bring it in,” he said.

“One of the men was knocked off his feet by a freak wave, landing in the sea.

“He was being bashed against the rocks and his friend jumped in thinking that he was going to drown.”

The spokesman said a quick-thinking bystander grabbed a life ring and threw it to the third fisherman who flung it into the water. 

One man grabbed it while the other was able to climb onto the rocks.

In the meantime, lifesavers Gemma Price and Kimberly Rase, who were on duty at Main Beach, responded to a radio call to help.

Seventeen-year-old Ms Price said they had headed out on the boat, finding the man holding onto the ring.

The lifesavers pulled him into the boat and took him to Main Beach.

The friend who tried to save him was brought to the beach by police and both were given first aid until paramedics arrived.

One fisherman was flown in a helicopter to Princess Alexandra Hospital, while the other was taken to Redland Hospital.

They both had non-life-threatening injuries.

Ms Price, who started as a nipper in the under eights age group, said it was the most serious rescue in which she had been involved.

She said her lifesaving training gave her confidence during the rescue.

“We also had the others helping on the beach when we got the man there,” Ms Price said.