'I blacked out and they grabbed me just in time'

Tamara Cuttriss has vowed to live life to the maximum after nearly drowning on Sunday. Photo by...
Tamara Cuttriss has vowed to live life to the maximum after nearly drowning on Sunday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
As Tamara Cuttriss blacked out and went under the water for the final time, her last thought was: ''This is it. What a waste. I haven't even lived yet.''

The 14-year-old Bayfield High School pupil said she was swimming with two friends at Brighton Beach on Sunday when all three suddenly realised they were being dragged out to sea.

Her two friends, Alyssa Muir and Connor Hastie (both 14), managed to get back to shore but Tamara was unable to battle the current.

''Connor was the one who raised the alarm, because no-one had seen me.

''I was screaming for help, but no-one came.''

She said it felt as if she was in a rip because she was being pulled out to sea.

''I felt like there was no escape for me. I thought I was going to die.

''The waves ... were coming over the top of me and I just kept going under and I kept getting water in my lungs because I kept trying to breathe in.''

She said the Brighton surf life-savers who came to her rescue on an IRB arrived just in the nick of time.

''I was so tired. I had given up. I blacked out and they grabbed me just in time before I went right under.''

The next thing she recalled was waking up on a bed in the Brighton Surf Club.

She spent the afternoon in Dunedin Hospital and although she has now fully recovered physically, the terror from her ordeal is lasting.

She said she was traumatised to the point she was having trouble sleeping at night and it had put her off returning to the beach.

''If I ever did go back, I wouldn't be going into water any deeper than my knees.''

She hoped time would heal the wounds.

The close call had dramatically changed her outlook on life and she felt like the luckiest person alive yesterday.

She has vowed to work hard at school, appreciate her family and friends and make the most of every second of her life.

The teen's mother, Angela Cuttriss, said Tamara was getting special treatment at home as a result of the incident.

''I'm lucky to have her ... absolutely.''

Tamara said she was grateful to the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club members, St John and Dunedin Hospital who took such good care of her.

She had sent a card and roses to show her appreciation.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Southern club development officer Sam Clutterbuck said there had been rescues during most weeks of the summer season at beaches in and around Dunedin, but Tamara was one of only two ''close call'' rescues.

Earlier this month, three swimmers were minutes from death when they were pulled from the sea near Lawyers Head, he said.

Members of the St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club rescued the swimmers, who were caught in a rip off an unpatrolled part of the beach.

Mr Clutterbuck recommended beach-goers swim between the yellow flags, swim with friends, should know their limits and parents should watch children.

''If you do find yourself in trouble, put your hand straight up in the air and try to yell out if you can.

''Lie on your back as well. We always look for people doing that because it's usually the easiest way to stay afloat.

''And try not to panic. It's quite hard not to, but it can save your life,'' he said.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

 


Staying safe

• Swim between flags and with friends

• Know your limits

If you get into trouble

• Put your hand straight up in the air

• Lie on your back

• Try not to panic



 

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