At the Port Macquarie skate park on the afternoon of January 25, Ben and mate Dave Fox headed to the ocean for a quick dip when things took a turn for the worse.

“We had been skating for a while and noticed there was a crowd of people standing towards the end of the breakwall but didn’t think much of it,” Ben said.

“It was getting on – probably around 7.30pm – when Dave and I decided to go for a quick dip in the surf and that is when we saw it.

“This guy was really struggling in the surf. We don’t really know what had happened but either he was swimming on the river side of the breakwall and got sucked out or on the beach side and the rip dragged him out.

“All these people were just standing on watching and not doing anything.”

A dedicated surfer, Ben quickly decided if noone was going to help the man in trouble he would.

“I was a bit shocked to be honest that noone – not even the police who were there – were doing anything to help the guy who was clearly in trouble.

“It was then I knew if I didn’t jump in he probably would have died in front of all those watching on.

“I raced in and managed to get the guy and bring him back to the shore. As I got closer a couple of my mates jumped in to help.

“When we got back to the beach the guy was coughing up a lot of water but he was okay.”

After the incident Ben said it was important to always go for help if you see someone in need.

“I still can’t believe that with all those people watching noone was doing anything. You never go to the beach expecting to get into trouble and for everyone to do nothing is pretty bad.

“When the lifeguards are out they obviously come but if you see someone in need you should always help.

“If you don’t feel confident to go in the water yourself always call for help. As a bystander there is always something you can do.”

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