Dramatic details have emerged of a courageous rescue of a boy by his older brother on the coast near Milton at the weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, humble hero Kalya Kandegoda Gamage (14) plunged into 3m waves at the remote Chrystalls Beach to pluck his 11-year-old brother Kithmi from the frigid Pacific Ocean.
Although emergency services, including the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter, were summoned, by the time they arrived Kalya had already saved the day, leaving both boys wet and shivering, but none the worse for wear.
On Tuesday, the recent migrants from Sri Lanka returned to school in Milton.
Relaying his story to the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Kalya said all had been well during a family outing to the beach about 2km from their home, when an unexpectedly large wave knocked his brother over while they paddled at the shore.
"A second wave came, then a third, and quickly Kithmi got pulled out.
By this stage, his brother was about 60m offshore.
"The water was freezing and very rough, so I was a bit worried we’d both get stuck out there.
"Luckily, I remembered my life saving practice from [Sri Lanka], and we both made it back."
Kalya said he learnt to swim in 25degC waters in the Indian Ocean.
Typical winter temperatures off the Otago coast are about 10degC.
Kalya’s father, Daminda, said he had only been reunited with his family — the two boys, a daughter and wife Asha — a month ago, after four years apart.
Covid-19 and immigration complications had delayed any earlier reunion.
Mrs Kandegoda Gamage said both her sons were brave, determined characters, and took good care of each other.
"So many people helped on Saturday, and we’re just so grateful our son was saved.
"We’re very proud of the boys."
Mr MacDonnell said ocean conditions on Saturday were the fiercest he had seen during his 10 years on the farm.
"The waves were 3m high, vertical, and slamming straight down on the shore.
"It’s a miracle they came out OK."
