Bondi Rescue lifeguard and TV favourite Harries Carroll has been praised for his heroic actions after saving a three-year-old girl from drowning while on holiday with his family in Hawaii.
In an emotional Instagram post, Carroll described the moment the young child started breathing again as “the most incredible feeling”.
“After a review of camera footage, we learned that this baby struggled in the water for about four minutes, before floating face down for about two minutes until someone noticed and retrieved her from the water,” he shared.
“Two minutes face down in the water is a long time to be without oxygen.”
The veteran lifeguard, who has spent three decades keeping people safe at Bondi Beach, said the outcome could have been very different if he hadn’t been there.
“My wife and children witnessed this, and they know I know what to do should a tragic event like this happen again,” he wrote.
“We all need to know what to do.
“Do whatever it takes to teach your children to swim and float and make sure you know CPR at all costs.”
Fans flooded the post with messages of support, calling Carroll a true hero.
“Feels like a blessing from the universe such a massive legend as Harries was nearby,” one person commented.
“You are a true blessing to this world Harries! A real life angel,” another added.
According to Surf Life Saving Australia, lifesavers across the country save about 30 lives every day and conduct more than 450 precautionary actions every hour.
In the 2024–25 financial year, over 50 people drowned at Australian beaches, with 95 per cent of victims being male.
A spokesperson for SLS said drownings have a devastating impact on families and praised the efforts of lifesavers, who conducted over 5,000 rescues and more than one million preventive actions throughout the year.
Images: Instagram
