Fourteen Mandurah residents were awarded at the 2017 Coastal Bravery Awards on Friday, most of which aided in the rescue efforts when Mandurah man Ben Gerring was attacked by a shark at Gearies Beach on May 31.
Three men were given gold medallions: Ben Long, Glen Keaughran and Matthew Lodge.
These three were dubbed “angels of the ocean” and “absolute heroes”, as they ignored their own safety in order to assist their fellow surfer after he was attacked.
Mr Gerring was some 250m off-shore when he was attacked, with Mr Long and Mr Keaughran being the first surfers to paddle out to help.
Mr Lodge, on the shore when the attack happened, didn’t hesitate in grabbing a board and heading out in to the water to help the others.
Once the surfers got to the shallows with the injured Mr Gerring, they were met by several people who helped to carry Mr Gerring to shore where first aid and treatment could commence.
Ten other people were awarded the citizens award silver medallions, including Storm Lewington, Brian Williams, Zak Alexander, Sheldon Spencer, Nick Jenkins, John Wyllie, April McPherson, Geoffrey Carruthers, Wayne Dawe, and Ben Hamilton.
These locals banded together to do everything they could to give Mr Gerring a fighting chance after the attack, including applying a tourniquet, assisting with first aid, starting CPR and reassuring Mr Gerring until paramedics arrived.
The recipients met at the City of Perth surf life saving club, where awards were presented by WA premier Mark McGowan.
The Coastal Bravery Awards were launched by Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA) to publicly recognise community members who have put their own lives at risk for the sake of others.
