Merewether man, Billy James Eitz, has been named as one of 29 Australians to receive an Australian Bravery Award, awarded by the Governor General to recognise and celebrate extreme courage.
Mr Eitz was awarded the Bravery Medal, for his daring rescue of a man following a shark attack at Booti Booti Point in New South Wales on December 1st 2016.
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At around 9am Mr Eitz and other surfers were surfing at Bulls Paddock beach when they were surrounded by a pod of dolphins. One surfer caught a wave into the beach with some of the dolphins following.
Without warning another nearby surfer was launched into the air as a large great white shark attacked, also sending the man's surfboard out of the water.
Mr Eitz immediately began paddling towards the surfer who was clinging to broken pieces of his surfboard.
The man had sustained significant injuries to his foot and arm.
On reaching the injured man, Mr Eitz managed to wrangle him onto his own surfboard and, not knowing the whereabouts of the shark, entered the water and paddled behind the board pushing it towards the shore.
When they reached the shore, Mr Eitz and another surfer quickly administered first aid to the injured surfer and emergency services were called and the man was taken to hospital.
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“On behalf of all Australians, I would like to
congratulate and thank the individuals being recognised today. Their deeds and
selflessness are inspirational,” the Governor-General said.
“The people receiving awards didn’t wake up in the
morning and decide that they would be brave – each was faced with an unexpected
situation and made a conscious choice, in the moment, to turn towards the
danger and help others."
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| Reluctant Hero, Billy James Eitz Image Credit: Channel 7 |
