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Updated
October 24, 2018 17:53:56
Rottnest Island who helped rescue a 11-year-old boy, and a relative female, who were injured when a jetty collapsed underneath them this morning.
Key points:
- Group was fishing on a jetty when the corner gave way
- One woman was trapped between men and women
- All three have been airlifted back to Perth with head and leg injuries
It was understood the boy and two women, aged 63 and 48, were fishing off the jetty, at the southern end of Thomson Bay, when the structure gave way to 6:20 am.
The boy is suffering from injuries.
All three have been airlifted to hospital in Perth.
Sergeant Phil Cartledge, from Rottnest Island Police Station, said the fellowship of the jetty collapsed, trapping the older woman between concrete slabs and the jetty.
The mother, with the help of her partner, also had to hold her son's head.
Sergeant Cartledge said the outcome of the accident could have been worse for a "first responder", a woman who witnessed the accident and rushed to help the family and an elderly man.
"It was fortunate that an old man in a yacht had a tender vicinity.He approached the jetty, was able to get the young boy on board, took the boy to the beach while the mother swam with a fractured ankle to the beach, he said.
"So really amazing stuff.
"Just the coincidence that they were both there at the time."
Meanwhile, Sergeant Cartledge dived down to the help of the old woman.
"She was in severe pain," he said.
"She would have been there for up to 40-50 minutes.
"The partner was in the water and they were both suffering from hypothermia at that stage, shaking heavily."
Rottnest infrastructure to be badessed
Water and Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said there would be an investigation into the accident, which was conducted by the Department of Transport, which is responsible for the jetty.
"It's very early on this point in time to be exactly what happened, it's probably not helpful at this stage," he said.
"Obviously there will be a thorough investigation to determine what the cause is and what needs to be done in the future."
Mr Kelly said the priority for making the situation.
"Our thoughts are with the family, we wish them a speedy recovery," he said.
"It was obviously a very traumatic experience for those involved.
Mr Kelly would not have replied to the report that the Rottnest Island Authority had asked for funds to repair the structure.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the other infrastructure on the island should also be badessed following the accident.
"Mr McGowan said, 'We have a long way to go.
"I'm sure the Rottnest Island Authority will have a look at the jetties and other infrastructure to see if there's any further issues."
topics:
accidents
emergency-incidents
disasters-and-accidents,
rottnest-island-6161,
wa,
perth-6000
First posted
October 24, 2018 10:47:53
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