'Superhero’ saves dad and son from drowning
An Airport West mum has dubbed a passerby a 'superhero' after he dived into choppy waters at a popular Melbourne beach and saved the lives of her husband and son.
Six-year-old Noah and his dad, Rich Stevens, were close to drowning when swimming teacher Ben Robertson came to the rescue on Friday.
They met Mr Roberston on Monday and had a chance to say “thank you” to the stranger that saved their lives after Noah got into difficulty off Williamstown Beach.
His dad tried to save him but was also close to drowning.
“Honestly, the other thought was, 'is this how I'm going to go?'” recalled Mr Stevens.
Mum, Krissi Kirk, said: “I didn't know if I'd be going home with my family or not”.
Miraculously, swim school operator Ben was walking by.
“I stripped off into my underwear, dived into the water and swam out,” he said.
He guided a terrified Noah to safety.
“When I got Noah to his mum, I then turned around, swam back out, and luckily by that time another few guys had come along, followed me out, and helped rich,” said Ben.
“I'm not sure if you remember,” he said to Rich at their reunion, “I was just screaming at you to kick”. “I don’t,” said Mr Stevens.
He had been coughing up water, but was alive.
“I've had to choke back a few tears. I'm amazingly thankful for this man. I can not believe our good fortune,” an emotional Mr Stevens said.
Mr Robertson's efforts have earned him a new nickname: "My superhero Ben,” said Ms Kirk.
“A superhero? I might have to get a cape,” Mr Robertson said, laughing off the gesture.
The grateful family has even joked about changing Noah's middle name to 'Ben'.
While many people may feel safe swimming at bay beaches, it was unusually choppy at Williamstown beach on Friday night and there was a rip.
Noah and Rich's near-miss serves as a reminder that swimmers should never be complacent - there may not always be by-standers as brave as Ben.
“I've just luckily got the ability to swim and was able to help,” he said.
