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Sports hero dies after rescuing family of five from riptide

A former Major League Baseball prospect has died a hero after leaping into treacherous waters in South Carolina to save a family of five – a final act of selflessness that unfolded in front of his own wife and children. Anderson “Chase” Childers, 39, was on holiday with his wife, Nataley, and their three young children when he was swept away by a powerful rip current on Sunday afternoon. The family had been vacationing at Pawleys Island, just south of Myrtle Beach. Childers, a former minor league baseball player and police officer, jumped into action when a woman asked for help rescuing swimmers caught in the current. According to his family, he did not hesitate. “His first responder instincts kicked in and he went to the water to save people,” said Pawleys Island Police Chief Michael Fanning. Together with another good Samaritan, Childers successfully helped the stranded swimmers – a family of five – back to shore. But moments later, he vanished beneath the waves, pulled under by the same current he had bravely entered. The US Coast Guard recovered his body approximately 90 minutes later. Born in Nashville and raised in Georgia, Childers had played baseball for North Cobb Christian High School and Georgia State University. In 2009, he joined the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league system as a second baseman and shortstop, before leaving the sport to pursue a career in law enforcement. He was later honoured with a Life Saving Award from the Cobb County Police Department in 2013. “We are saddened to learn of Chase’s passing, and send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” a Baltimore Orioles spokesperson said in a statement. Childers’ death marks the fifth drowning at Pawleys Island since June 2023, and the second in the past month, according to local station WCBD-TV. A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/blessings-for-nataley-and-children-memory-of-chase" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe page</a> launched to support the Childers family has raised more than $225,000 AUD as of Friday morning. “As a devoted husband and father, he displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness,” the fundraiser stated. “In a heroic act, he saved a family of five in a moment of crisis… putting their lives above his own. His bravery, kindness and love will always be remembered.” Images: GoFundMe

Caring

Hero dad jumps overboard to save daughter who fell from Disney cruise ship

A father and his daughter were rescued from the ocean after falling overboard from a Disney Cruise Line ship on Sunday afternoon, prompting praise for the ship’s crew and relief among passengers who witnessed the ordeal unfold in real time. The incident occurred aboard the Disney Dream as it sailed on a roundtrip voyage between Florida and the Bahamas. Passenger Gar Frantz said he was on the fourth-floor deck when he saw the child, who had been sitting on the ship’s railing while the father took a picture, fall into the water. “Then the child fell overboard,” Frantz recalled. “We watched it, you could see two little things ... it was crazy, it was horrific.” The father reportedly jumped in immediately after the child in an effort to save her. Fellow passenger Gail Merrick was playing bingo when she noticed a sudden commotion outside. “We came to find out that it was a child and then the father had gone in after the child, so we were watching with bated breath basically waiting for what would happen,” she told NBC News. Merrick said she saw a yellow rescue boat with crew members being deployed, and the Disney Dream itself made a sharp turn to return to the spot. According to Disney, the two guests were recovered within minutes. “We commend our Crew Members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship,” Disney said in a statement. “We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.” Disney did not provide any identifying details about the guests or clarify how far into the journey the ship was when the fall occurred. Passenger James Tackett said he felt the ship lurch into a sharp turn before hearing what had happened. “When they did officially get the people, everyone cheered,” he said. “It was a good moment.” His mother, Brenda Tackett, who was also onboard, praised the crew’s swift and professional response. “You could tell they’ve practiced this – hopefully have never used it before – but they were great,” she said. “The whole thing was maybe 10, 15 minutes and they safely got back on board.” Disney After the rescue, the Disney Dream resumed its journey. “Thankfully it turned out positive,” Merrick said, “and we were able to enjoy the rest of the cruise.” Images: Disney Dream / NBC News

Travel Trouble

Dramatic rescue operation after tourist boat sinks off Bali coast

There were dramatic scenes off the southeast coast of Bali on Wednesday when a tourist boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized near Nusa Lembongan. The vessel, known as The Tanis, had just departed Lembongan Village around 4.30pm local time with 89 people on board – 77 foreigners and 12 Indonesian nationals – when it was struck by a wave from behind and began taking on water. Eyewitnesses rushed to assist as the vessel tilted, causing passengers to slip into the sea. A large-scale rescue effort was launched immediately, and by 6.30pm all passengers had been safely evacuated, with authorities confirming there were no fatalities or serious injuries. Divers were later deployed to search the sunken boat and surrounding seabed as a precaution, ensuring no one had been left behind. Footage of the incident was shared by @bali.info.official, who reported that the boat was still relatively new, having only been in operation for about three months. According to their post, the boat was offloading passengers from Gili at Mushroom Bay, with its bow resting onshore, when powerful waves began to strike its stern. “The captain made the decision to move the boat back out to sea,” the post explained, “but because the boat was already filled with water, it became unstable. The panic among passengers made the situation worse, causing the boat to tilt and eventually sink.” Despite the chaos, locals and nearby responders coordinated to recover both passengers and their belongings. "A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped rescue the passengers and recover their belongings," the post concluded. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKe5vZHSciB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKe5vZHSciB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by BALI INFO (@bali.info.official)</a> </div> </blockquote> Most of the rescued tourists opted to remain in Nusa Lembongan for the night, while only two chose to continue their journey to Sanur Harbor– the original destination of The Tanis, which has a total capacity of 125 passengers. Images: Instagram

Travel Trouble

Aussie teen surfers earn worldwide praise for saving grandmother and grandson

A wave of global praise is crashing over four incredible teenage surfers who risked their lives to save a grandmother and her young grandson from dangerous surf conditions at Adelaide’s West Beach. In a moment of pure bravery and instinct, 14-year-old Kai Nixon sprang into action after spotting a 10-year-old boy caught in a fierce rip current. Without hesitation, Kai paddled through treacherous waters to reach the child, ultimately guiding him to the safety of nearby rocks. But the rescue didn’t stop there. As cries for help echoed across the beach, fellow teenage surfers Cruz Campbell, Louis Kempster and Riley Kellock – who were nearby – zeroed in on a second, even more urgent crisis. The boy’s grandmother was being pulled farther out to sea. Working together, the three boys launched into action and successfully brought her back to shore. Though the teens didn’t all know one another, their combined effort was seamless. “They didn’t know each other so they were two different groups of boys who were able to come together and just execute a really seamless plan,” said Louis’ proud mother, Dana. Now, the story of their heroic actions is resonating far beyond Australia. Interview requests are coming in from media outlets across the United States, and people around the world are hailing the boys as heroes. Among those singing their praises is South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, who offered high commendation: “Nothing but the offer of the highest of praise to these young fellas who have shown extraordinary courage. They demonstrate there’s a lot of good among young people.” Kai, who has been a member of the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club since 2016, is set to be formally recognised for his courage. Club president Graeme Cunningham was effusive in his admiration: “Kai assessed the situation and acted cool and calmly. The outcome was good and he did a fantastic job.” The club will be submitting the rescue for review by Surf Life Saving SA, putting Kai in the running for a prestigious state-level award. Just months before this life-saving moment, Kai had completed his surf rescue certificate – a training that proved invaluable. “The skills they learn are able to be used in real life situations,” Cunningham said. “Our members use these skills when they’re not on patrol.” Surf Life Saving SA chief executive Damien Marangon echoed the praise: “Their quick-thinking and skilled response, undertaken despite the personal risks, are truly commendable and turned a potentially tragic incident into a story of bravery and exceptional rescue.” Thanks to these extraordinary teenagers, a family was reunited, a tragedy was averted – and the world gained four new heroes. Images: 9 News

Caring

"Miraculous rescue": Renter saves stray dog trapped underground

An American renter was minding his own business at his rental home in Longview, Texas when he heard faint barking. The man, who chose to remain anonymous, initially thought the barking was coming from outside, but soon realised that it was coming from below his floorboards. Animal control officer Bobby Jumper was called to the scene and "was very shocked" to find a dog trapped at the bottom of an almost four-metre-deep well underneath the house. The renter did not know there was a well under the house. "I've been doing this for over seven years and that's the first time I've ran into something like this," the animal control officer told the Washington Post. Jumper immediately called in back up from the local fire brigade, who built a makeshift sling to pull the stray dog out from safety. "It took multiple people and a lot of different tools and equipment," he said. The rescue took three hours and the team did consider ripping up the floorboards, but managed to find a way into the house without damaging it. Rescuers said the stray pup, a Basset hound mix, had been trapped for days without food or water, but luckily came out unscathed. The pup was taken to the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Centre and given the name Timmy, after the character known to fall down the well on the TV show Lassie. Timmy has since been adopted by a loving family, with the adoption centre sharing the "rescue story of a lifetime" on Facebook. "We witnessed a heartwarming tale of bravery and kindness that we just had to share," they wrote. "Thanks to the quick thinking and heroic efforts of our local firefighters and animal control team, the dog was safely brought to the surface, shaken but unharmed!" "Thank you to everyone who played a part in this miraculous rescue," the post continued. "It's a true reminder of the incredible bond between humans and animals and how a community comes together in times of need!" Images: Facebook

Family & Pets

"Thank god you're here": Couple rescued after 3-day ordeal

A couple in their 50s have been rescued after spending days stranded in Queensland. The couple and their two dogs were stuck for three days in the remote Gulf of Carpentaria, north-west of Staaten River National Park, after getting swept away in flood waters. It is believed their 4WD was overcome by a large wave at a river crossing, when they managed to escape the vehicle through the passenger side window and make it to shore. The man then swam back into croc-infested waters to free their two dogs. The couple and their animals then had to battle no reception and no food for three days, drinking water from the river to get them through. They scrawled "SOS" in the sand, with the distress message eventually being seen by a LifeFlight helicopter from the air. They were airlifted to hospital and treated for dehydration and exposure, alongside their two dogs. It was experienced New Zealand pilot Michael Adair's first week working at LifeFlight and he said the couple had lost hope they would be rescued. "They said, 'Thank god you're here, we didn't think anyone was coming,'" he told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-07/outback-rescue-couple-crocodile-infested-waters/104698102" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a>. "The wife had told us she had been hearing voices in the bush from exposure and had convinced herself that nobody was coming to help them, so she was very emotional when we hugged her." He added that the couple were in good spirits when the helicopter arrived. "These people had resigned themselves to dying and seeing the look on their faces when they saw us and realised they weren't going to die — that's the reason we do this," he said. "They were very happy and jovial to see us and then the reality of the fact that hey … they're about to be rescued — that's when the emotion welled up." Image credits: LifeFlight

Travel Trouble

Tourist's leg amputated in dramatic rescue

A 69-year-old Lithuanian tourist is fighting for his life after having his leg amputated in an attempt to save his life after he became stuck between rocks in a Tasmanian river. The man, who has decades of experience in white water rafting, was kayaking on the Franklin River when he slipped on a rock and his leg became wedged underwater. Emergency services were called to the scene and quickly ran out of options when trying to pull the man from the water. After several failed attempts to free him, and because of fears his condition was deteriorating, the decision was made to amputate his leg above the knee. The decision was made by medical professionals and in consultation with the man, allowing him to be winched to safety and airlifted to Royal Hobart Hospital. Tasmania Police constable Callum Herbert said the rescue efforts was one some of the most intense scenarios he’s ever seen in the region. “Most entrapments would be more simple than this,” constable Herbert said. “This patient was so entrapped it’s involved an amputation of a limb. It’s pretty much the worst case scenario you could get aside from drowning. He’s fallen into the river in an awkward position." Surf Life Saving Tasmania swift water rescue technician Ace Petrie praised the man and his crew for their efforts during the challenging rescue. “His rafting crew had done a great job in securing him as best they could,” Mr Petrie said. Mr Petrie said the efforts to free the man were arduous, with rescuers even attempting to use the jaws of life equipment underwater. "After we assessed his entrapment, we started off with the basic scenarios using ropes and pulleys. We weren’t budging these rocks at all, this went on for approximately 10-12 hours,” he said. “We had to get that equipment into the water, it was quite fast flowing which made it difficult to get it stable at that time. Everyone wanted this guy out. We weren’t giving up.” Mr Petrie added that another issue they faced was that the trapped man spoke limited English, saying, “He had a little bit of broken english, like when we were trying to pull his leg out he could say ‘My leg’s broken’ or 'broken leg; but a part from that we couldn’t take his mind off the situation by talking to him about his family or the trips he’d done. That was really hard.” Ambulance Tasmania intensive care flight paramedic Mitch Parkinson said the man’s outlook on the entire situation was remarkable and he remained “exceptionally strong and robust” throughout the ordeal. “He maintained an exceptionally resilient persona through the night and he tired through the morning. This was an exceptionally long mission.” Image credits: Tasmania Police <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">

Travel Trouble

Queen Camilla "heartbroken" by death of rescue dog

Queen Camilla, who is recovering from a chest infection, has had to make the tough decision of putting her beloved pet dog, Beth, down after she was diagnosed with an untreatable tumour. The news was revealed by Buckingham Palace in a message shared to social media, which read: "A sad farewell to Beth, the Queen's much-loved companion from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties, or curled up by the fire". The 77-year-old royal is said to be "heartbroken" by the loss over the weekend. Beth was rescued by Camilla in 2011, and because she was a rescue, the animal charity was never sure of Beth's age. The royal later adopted another Jack Russell, Bluebell, soon after getting Beth, when she became patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2017, taking over from the late Queen Elizabeth II. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCg830XISLD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCg830XISLD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a> </div> </blockquote> Recalling the moment she found Bluebell, the Queen previously told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Along I went to Battersea, and Beth appeared, and she had just been moved from pillar to post and dumped. "We thought it would be nice for her to have a friend. They found [Bluebell] two or three weeks later, wandering about in woods, no hair on her, covered in sores, virtually dead. And they nursed her back to life and her hair grew again. "She's very sweet, but a tiny bit neurotic, shall we say. "The nice thing about dogs is you can sit them down, you could have a nice long conversation, you could be cross, you could be sad and they just sit looking at you, wagging their tail." The two dogs were often by her side at public events and were even featured in an official portrait alongside Camilla. Pictures of her two pups were also embroidered onto the Queen's Coronation gown. Camilla once said of her dogs: "I cannot imagine my life, my home or my sofas without them". Image: Instagram/ The Royal Family

Family & Pets

Bondi Rescue star charged with domestic violence offences

Bondi Rescue star Andrew Reid is facing domestic violence charges over a series of alleged assault in Sydney. The 45-year-old lifeguard and reality TV star has pleaded not guilty to two counts of common assault, which allegedly took place between November 2022 and January this year on the city's North Shore, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. He also faces a third assault charge dating back to March, while a fourth domestic violence charged was dismissed. The allegations relate to the same woman, who has been listed as a protected person under an apprehended domestic violence order against Reid. Reid has appeared at a hearing to oppose the allegations against him. His lawyer Margaret Cunneen told the Sydney Morning Herald that the allegations will be "vigorously defended". "There are three very disparate allegations with a long time in between all, of which on the defence case, could be accounted for by an accident," she said. "There is no hitting or punching alleged. His good character will be squarely raised in the question of proof in these allegations" Earlier this year, the longtime Bondi Rescue star made headlines for helping people during the deadly Westfield Bondi Junction attack in April. Reid, who has first-aid training, aided some of the wounded during the attack that left six people dead. At the time, he had been locked behind a safety door in Myer, before he convinced a security guard to let him out to help a woman who was bleeding. The hearing will continue in March next year. Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). Readers seeking support can also contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636. Image: Nine

Legal

Woman rescued after getting stuck in between two boulders

A NSW woman found herself stuck in between two boulders after trying to retrieve her phone from a rocky abyss in the Hunter Valley. Emergency services were called to the wine region after reports the woman slipped and got stuck between two boulders down a three-metre crevice. Her friends initially tried to rescue her for an hour before calling Triple Zero for help. Photos shared by NSW Ambulance on Facebook showed the woman's feet poking out as she was wedged inside the crevice. Paramedics had to remove the heavy rocks, including winching out a massive 500kg boulder to create a safe exit. The entire process took around seven hours as the woman had been stuck in a tight "S" bend which made it challenging for the rescue team. "In my 10 years as a rescue paramedic I had never encountered a job quite like this, it was challenging but incredibly rewarding," NSW Ambulance Specialist Rescue Paramedic Peter Watts said. "Every agency had a role, and we all worked incredibly well together to achieve a good outcome for the patient." NSW Ambulance confirmed that the woman was unable to get her phone back. Image: NSW Ambulance/ Facebook

Travel Trouble

Man clinging to esky rescued after Hurricane Milton ravages entire state

A man has been dramatically rescued after he drifted more than 50km out to sea after being hit by the terrifying storm of Hurricane Milton. The record-breaking storm system ravaged the US state of Florida on Thursday, as the death toll has risen to 14 at the time of writing. One fisherman survived the storm by clinging to an esky and was rescued by the US Coast Guard in the Gulf of Mexico after his boat was stranded overnight in dangerous waters. “This man survived in a nightmare scenario for even the most experienced mariner,” Lieutenant Commander Dana Grady of the US Coast Guard said of the dramatic rescue. “To understand the severity of the hurricane conditions, we estimate he experienced approximately 75 to 90mph winds, 20- to 25-foot (six to seven metre ) seas, for an extended period of time to include overnight." “He survived because of a lifejacket, his emergency position indicating locator beacon and a cooler.” The storm swept through the city of Tampa, causing widespread destruction throughout the south-east of the state, with many residents now dealing with power outages and extensive debris. Amongst those stranded during the flash flooding were 135 residents of an aged care home, with many wheelchair-bound residents spending the night sitting in water up to their waste before they were rescued the next morning. “This is a neighbourhood that doesn’t have a lot … They’ve lost everything,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister told CNN. “These are people who live day-to-day and they have nothing … Your heart shatters for these people.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, “We’ll survey the damage and get people back on their feet – we’ll get through this.” Image credits: Instagram - US Coast Guard

Travel Trouble

Beloved teddy bear left in airport lounge rescued by airline

Staff at British Airways have rescued a child’s stuffed teddy bear that was left behind in an airport lounge, documenting the toy’s safe journey home. The treasured teddy was found in the British Airways lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport by nine-year-old Alex, who accidentally left the toy behind before boarding a flight home to Dubai. After staff found the stranded toy, a new flight and boarding pass was created for Postman Bear, while members of the BA team gave the teddy the”'VIP treatment” with a journey on an airport buggy to “catch up” with the Cabin Crew Operations team in the Crew Report Centre. Postman Bear was then taken to meet the cabin crew on his new flight to Dubai and was pictured “patiently” waiting for his flight at the gate, drinking a cup of coffee and enjoying “some great views of the aircraft” while waiting to board. The teddy’s journey home was lovingly captured by British Airways customer manager, Ed Tumath, who sent the snaps back to young Alex to assure him his beloved bear was being looked after. After touching down in Dubai, the cabin crew took Postman Bear to reunite with Alex and the rest of his family for a “bear-y happy reunion”. Stuart, Alex's parent, recalled the moment they knew the teddy was missing, while praising British Airways for their tireless journey to reunite Alex with his bear. Stuart said, “My son had left his teddy bear - huge sentimental value as he has had the teddy since birth - in the British Airways lounge ahead of the flight. We noticed as the aircraft doors were closing so nothing could be done at that point.” “This was very distressing to my son who uses the teddy as a calming item, especially when flying. This was incredibly stressful and we feared that his beloved teddy may be lost forever.” “Whilst onboard the flight, I took to a series of Facebook groups to seek help in finding the teddy. A member of the group contacted Ed who came to the rescue. I managed to communicate with Ed on the flight and received a picture showing that the teddy had been found, which calmed my son.” “Not only did Ed go out of his way to find the teddy but he communicated so well throughout. He genuinely cared about the situation and worked so hard to get the teddy back to us.” “He arranged for the teddy to board a flight to Dubai a couple of days later and a crew member handed the teddy back to us. Not only did Ed excel in his caring manner and communication, he even provided a few pictures of the teddy's journey, which my son will treasure forever.” “My son was so relieved - words could not express how grateful we are to Ed for his kind act and dedication to getting the teddy back to us. I have been flying with BA for many years - this is the best experience I have had by far and I am overwhelmed by Ed's efforts.” “Sometimes amazing people do incredible things and show such kindness along the way... these things matter. This meant a huge amount to my family and I, and we will be forever grateful.” Image credits: British Airways

International Travel

Woman cops hefty fine after "checking out surf"

A woman has lashed out at her local council after she copped a fine for $136 for a five-minute stop at a popular beach to assess the surf conditions. Amy Sloane stopped her car at The Esplanade at NSW's Caves Beach to get a sense of the surf conditions on July 6th, and was unknowingly being watched by a parking inspector. Ms Sloane was shocked to receive the fine in the post a few weeks later, arguing that her actions didn't justify the fine. "How do I feel? P***ed off," she told Yahoo News. "Rangers can't fine people who don't pick up after their dogs on our beaches, but can secretly fine you without you knowing for just checking out the surf for five minutes." She also called the council workers "cowards", saying the area she stopped in is often used by locals and tourists to get a look at the surf, and even whale watch occasionally during migration season. As she continued to defend her actions, Lake Macquarie City Council clarified that the infringement stated the driver parallel parked in the opposite direction of travel, which is a known "safety offence under Australia Road Rules". It is illegal in all Australian states and territories to park your car in the opposite direction of traffic on any road. "The fine at hand was issued for not parallel parking in the direction of travel, which is a safety offence under Australian Road Rules. The driver's vehicle crossed double white lines and was parked near a bend, facing oncoming traffic, which further heightened safety concerns," a council spokesperson said. After expressing her annoyance on social media, many agreed the fine was warranted, saying she had done the wrong thing, regardless of how long she was there for. Other locals chimed in and said "it happens all the time" despite it being a fineable offence. "If you think the fine is wrong, fight it. If you were parked incorrectly, wear the fine," another said. Sloane confirmed to <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/woman-fined-136-after-checking-out-surf-at-popular-beach-084002221.html?guccounter=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News</a> she will begrudgingly pay the fine. Image credits: Facebook / Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Molly the magpie carers rescue another native bird

Molly the Magpie's carers have rescued another native bird. Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, who went viral for the interspecies friendship between their two staffies and a magpie named Molly, shared the update on Facebook. “Meet Charlie the vulnerable little kookaburra,” the family wrote on Tuesday. The Mortensen's explained that Charlie had been in their care since the new year period, after a neighbour discovered him unable to fly following wild weather. “He was found by neighbours huddling at the bottom of a tree, they watched for a day and he was all alone and too young to face the world with many dangers around including a stray cat ready for its next feed we were called over to check out the situation,” they wrote. “Reece was in training for his wildlife licence so with the direction and support of wildlife carers specialising in kookaburras we were able to bring this little kookaburra back to our place.” Unlike Molly who developed a special bond with the family's dogs, Charlie was rehabilitated outside, with his own kin watching over him. “We kept him outside as much as possible so the kookaburras knew exactly where he was and could come in and feed him which they did,” they explained. “At times we would count 14 kookaburras keeping an eye on this little one. He would try to fly and achieved short distances but needed practice with his landing.” The family shared the update after Charlie “found the confidence” to return to the wild. “It was such an exciting thing to witness and to be part of,” the family wrote. It has been a wild year for the Queensland family, after Molly was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/outcry-after-authorities-seize-internet-famous-magpie-from-queensland-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voluntarily surrendered </a>to the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation in March, when authorities found the couple were not permitted to care for native wildlife. Over a month later, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) announced that they would return Molly to the family with a few special conditions, including obtaining a license and meeting specific requirements to ensure her ongoing health and wellbeing. The reunion was definitely one to remember with followers and animal lovers across the country over-joyed at the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/first-pics-of-molly-the-magpie-reunion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reunion</a>. Images: Facebook

Family & Pets

"An absolute hero": 10-year-old boy rescues drowning swimmer

Miles Babcock has been made an honorary member of Careflight after saving a woman who was drowning in Sydney Harbour. Miles, who is just 10 years old, was paddle boarding with his dad Graham when they spotted the woman who was struggling in the water. The 10-year-old remained calm and collected after spotting the woman in distress, and began directing his dad over to help the woman out of the water. Graham could not contain his pride for his son, telling Today that he did everything in his power to rush to her aid. "I'm just incredibly proud, it's one of those confronting situations where you never really know how you're going to react," Graham said. "But Miles was the one who spotted the lady in distress, he kept the board steady and told me to get in the water and go and get her, he helped get her onto the board, helped turn her onto the side and helped pat her on the back to help clear her airways." "And then as soon as I asked him to jump off the board because we needed to get into shore as quickly as possible, he just did exactly that." Another nearby paddleboarder helped get the lady onto Miles and Graham's board, while Miles stayed behind to catch a ride back to shore with another boarder. "He was a real, real trooper and an absolute hero on the day," Graham said. "And then all the people who came in and helped were just fantastic, it was one of those things where everyone came together." People on the shore had already called triple zero and the Careflight team worked with lifeguards and paramedics to help get the woman to hospital where she is recovering. In the days after the rescue, Miles was called into the Careflight base to meet with the crew who helped the drowning woman, as they made him an an honorary Air Crew Officer and praised his "heroic rescue". <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMyCareFlight%2Fvideos%2F416634217746897%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Image credits: Today

Family & Pets

Father and grandfather drown after rescuing toddler

The father and grandfather of a two-year-old have tragically died after jumping into a hotel pool to save the toddler from drowning. On Easter Sunday evening, Dharmvir Singh, 38, and his 65-year-old father Gurjinder Singh drowned in the pool at the Top of the Mark Holiday Apartments in Surfer's Paradise when Dharmvir’s two-year-old child fell into the pool. The family members, who had travelled from Victoria to Queensland for their holiday, jumped in to save the two-year-old, although none of the family could swim. While the mother and child were both able to return to safety, Dharmvir and Gurjinder both died in the rescue. Emergency services were called to the Queensland hotel where the men were found unconscious, as paramedics performed CPR and attempted to revive the men but were unsuccessful. The mother and toddler were taken to hospital, and did not need any further treatment. Mitchell Ware from Queensland Ambulance Service said it was an “extremely emotional scene”. “Obviously, anyone could understand that not just to lose one family member but to lose two family members,” he said, according to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13258481/Top-Mark-Holiday-Apartments-Surfers-Paradise-drowning-Father-grandfather-killed-rescuing-toddler.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail.</a> "I will just reiterate to the community to exercise due care, especially if you're not a strong swimmer, and especially if there's young children around, that you are really careful because we know that children and even adults can drown in a matter of seconds." Image credits: ABC

Caring

Aussie surf icon Mick Fanning struck by family tragedy

Australian surfing legend Mick Fanning has been struck by yet another devastating loss in his family. Reports have emerged confirming the passing of Fanning’s brother, Edward, who was in his 40s at the time of his death. This tragic event adds to the already heavy burden of grief that Fanning has endured over the years. The Fanning family has faced multiple heartbreaking losses in the past. In 2015, Mick lost his older brother Peter at the age of 43. Prior to that, in 1998, another of Mick’s brothers, Sean, tragically passed away in a car accident at the young age of 20. News of Edward’s passing came through a heartfelt message from Stevie Maher, a close friend of Edward and a prominent bodyboarder from Coolangatta. Maher took to Facebook to express his condolences and share his grief with the Fanning family. In his poignant post, Maher fondly reminisced about the cherished moments he shared with Edward: "Firstly I want to send my condolences to the Fanning family … mum Liz, dad John, sister Rachel and brother Mick,” Maher wrote. “My heart is broken to hear the passing of my best mate. I enjoyed and had so many amazing times with you Eddie. You were in my wedding party, had so many epic times together in Indo and we were just best mates. I’m goin’ to miss you Eddie and now you rest in peace.” Edward, who had been working at a surf camp in Madagascar, leaves behind a legacy of friendship, adventure and camaraderie. His presence will be deeply missed by all those who knew him, especially by his grieving family and closest friends. As the world mourns alongside Mick Fanning, we extend our deepest condolences to him and his family, hoping they find solace and strength in each other's love and the cherished memories they hold dear. Images: Facebook / Instagram

Family & Pets

Dramatic rescue of hikers stranded overnight in Alpine Region

In a heart-stopping ordeal captured on video, two hikers were airlifted to safety after spending a harrowing night stranded in Victoria's remote Alpine Region. The dramatic rescue unfolded on Mount Bogong, one of Australia's highest peaks, highlighting both the beauty and dangers of wilderness exploration. The two hikers, aged 63 and 71, had embarked on what they likely anticipated as a routine trek through the rugged terrain of the Alpine Region. However, as evening descended, their situation took a perilous turn. Recognising the need for assistance, they reached out to emergency services, prompting a swift response from the police Air Wing and Search and Rescue Squad. Navigating treacherous landscapes requires both skill and intuition, and it appears that these experienced hikers may have underestimated the challenges posed by Mount Bogong's unforgiving environment. Despite their best efforts, they found themselves stranded, facing a night of uncertainty amidst the wilderness. Thankfully, the Search and Rescue Squad quickly established communication with the stranded hikers, assessing their situation and determining that they possessed sufficient supplies and experience to endure the night. While undoubtedly a daunting experience, the hikers remained composed, awaiting the dawn and the arrival of their rescuers. As the first light broke over the Alpine peaks, a plan was set in motion to extract the hikers from their precarious situation. With precision and expertise, the police Air Wing and Search and Rescue Squad orchestrated a daring helicopter rescue operation. Against the backdrop of Mount Bogong's majestic slopes, the helicopter descended, its rotor blades slicing through the crisp mountain air. The video footage captured the tension and relief as the hikers were carefully winched to safety, lifted from the wilderness that had held them captive. Once aboard the helicopter, they were swiftly transported to solid ground, where awaiting ambulance paramedics ensured their well-being. Images: Victoria Police

Travel Trouble

"I thought I was gone": Grandfather reunited with rescuers after pier fall

John Mirabelli, 88, has been reunited with the three men who saved his life after he accidentally fell into the ocean. The great-grandfather was fishing off Portsea Pier in Victoria last month, when he lost his footing and fell off the pier and into the bay. "I thought I was gone, because when I fell in, I went straight down," Mirabelli told 9News. Dressed in just a raincoat and a pair of gumboots, the 88-year-old was drenched and holding on to a slippery pylon for almost an hour, and just when he thought all hope was lost, local surfer Ben Buxton luckily walked by. "I looked over and I saw John holding onto a little wire and the look on his face, it was kinda terrifying, because he appeared to only have a few moments left until he had to let go of the wire," he said. "I just thought if I can get a board to where John is then he's possibly got a chance." As he paddled over to Mirabelli, police officers Oliver Waters and Adam Gardner arrived, after a call to triple zero. Between them Buxton and Waters took turns reassuring the great-grandfather and convinced him to hold on to the board, as they floated him around the pier for almost 20 minutes to get him back on dry land. "In that time, we were talking to John to try and get him relaxed," Buxton said. "And he kept talking about the calamari that he'd had to let go when he'd fallen into the pier." After a stint in hospital, Mirabelli was reunited with his rescuers. "It's special for us, we really appreciate the chance to catch up with John again," Waters said. "He's a lovely man." Mirabelli embraced the three men and expressed his gratitude: "If it was not for you, I would not be alive." The 88-year-old has fished at the same spot for decades and said that he won't be scared away anytime soon. He even joked about how he will search for the calamari that got away. "Next time I'll fix him up - if it's the same one," he said. Images: Nine

Caring

Teen lifesaver's heroic rescue after cliff jump

A teen lifesaver has been praised for her heroic effort to rescue three boys stranded in a cave, after a cliff jump went wrong. With temperatures soaring up to 37C near the coast in Sydney, many locals decided to go to the beach to escape the heat. One group of teenage boys decided to go cliff jumping over the Warriewood Blowhole, north of Manly. But, things started to go wrong when one 15-year-old boy slammed his head on the water after diving from the cliff, leaving him semi-unconscious. As his two friends clambered over rocks to move him into a cave below the cliff, the trio quickly became stranded as waves pounded the rocks. Lifesaver Saskia Rundle Towbridge, 16, was quick to jump into action, hopping into the rubber duck and bravely manoeuvring her way through rough waves to rescue the boys. “The waves were pretty big, especially when I was coming in,” she told Nine. “I got thrown up against them, and the cord of my rescue tube was stuck on the rocks, so I was being battered for about two minutes.” She eventually made it onto the rocks and was able to swim the boys back to the boat. The injured teen was treated by lifesavers before an ambulance was called, as he was disoriented and couldn't remember where he was. The 15-year-old was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital and is in a stable condition. Images: Nine

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