Tearful meeting: Seven-year-old breaks down while meeting her rescuer's family
Heartbreaking scenes as seven-year-old Rihanna Milabo breaks down during an emotional embrace as she meets the family of Ryan Martin, her hero rescuer for the first time.
Martin gave his life on Good Friday during his daring rescue of Milabo, that managed to save the seven-year-old’s life.
Josh Martin, brother of Ryan, knelt down as he hugged a tearful Rihanna, whispering into the child’s ear, “I can see why he wouldn’t leave you, you’re absolutely beautiful”.
This signified the moment two families, strangers, came together united in both grief and gratitude.
According to the Gold Coast Bulletin Rihanna’s parents, Rickel and Shyra, had been nervous about meeting the family of the man they described as their “guardian angel”.
“We didn’t think anyone would save us,” cried Shyra to the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“I didn’t know how they would react, but they are a beautiful family, they just wanted to meet Rihanna.”
“It all happened so fast,” she said recalling the tragic event.
“We were just playing in the water near the rocks and then we were swept out to sea.
“Rihanna would not be alive today without everyone who helped us.”
Heroic Ryan Martin, 30, drowned while shielding Rihanna’s body from jagged rocks and two metre waves.
Martin, a Burleigh Heads accountant, was one of the first in the water to rescue the child.
He stayed with the seven-year-old for around 30 minutes but he only collapsed once Milabo was safely passed to another rescuer.
Paramedics gave Mr Martin CPR as soon as he was pulled to the shore, as two Westpac rescue helicopters arrived, but he wasn't able to be revived.
The hero was pronounced dead at the scene while his girlfriend, Zoe Bell, watched the heartbreaking events unfold.
He has since been heralded as a hero for saving the young child’s life.
News break – April 1
