Patrick Dangerfield is being hailed as a hero
after the Geelong champion saved a family of three from drowning in a strong current at a Moggs Creek beach on Sunday.
After being notified by another member of the public that the trio, who included an 11-year old girl, were in trouble, Dangerfield paddled out on his surfboard to help while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
15 minutes later, lifeguards from the Fairhaven Sea Rescue arrived to bring the two adults back to safety, while Dangerfield himself paddled the young girl to shore on his surfboard.
“A member of the public witnessed the incident from the shore and rescued an 11-year-old girl by placing her on his surfboard,” Police media said in a statement.
“Life Saving Victoria volunteers attended on jetskis and brought two adults to shore.
“The girl was checked over by paramedics at the scene but no one was injured.”
Speaking to Nine Media, Dangerfield urged families to take extreme care when swimming in the area.
“I was playing with my kids, so I paddled out once I found out they were struggling out there and then I think it was about 15, 20 minutes and then the rest of the guys arrived and helped bring them in,” the 31-year old said.
“It’s important to be careful but at the same time, these things happen and the ocean is a powerful beast.
“It was just an unfortunate set of circumstances but the main thing is they are all okay and don’t have a fear of the ocean after that.”
Dangerfield, who grew up in Moggs Creek, began his AFL career at the Adelaide Crows before requesting a trade to Geelong to be closer to family at the end of 2015.
He won the Brownlow Medal in 2016 and has played in preliminary finals in five of his six years at the club; however, a maiden premiership has proved elusive.
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