A WOMAN was saved from drowning in the Millicent Swimming Lake on Tuesday afternoon due to the prompt actions of an off-duty police officer, another bystander and various members of the medical and emergency services.
The South East woman aged in her 30s had lost consciousness in the lake just after 4pm and was taken to the western shore by the officer and bystander.
They performed CPR while waiting on emergency services.
Millicent’s SA Ambulance Service, police and Country Fire Service volunteer firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and continued with emergency treatment.
Soon afterwards, the victim’s pulse could be detected.
Further assistance was provided at the scene by an intensive care ambulance crew from Mount Gambier, as well as the on-duty locum doctor at Millicent and District Hospital.
While the woman was being treated at the lake’s side, the scene was screened from public view by about 10 people holding sheets and blankets.
With temperatures in the high 20s, the lake and its environs were filled with hundreds of swimmers and picnickers.
The woman was taken by ambulance to the Millicent and District Hospital where her condition was stabilised.
She was flown to an Adelaide hospital in the care of a Medstar retrieval team.
SA Ambulance Service regional operations manager Andrew Thomas praised the actions of those at the lake including the off-duty police officer and bystander for retrieving the woman from the lake and administering CPR.
“The early administration of CPR offers the best chance of survival,” Mr Thomas said.
He said he was unaware of the circumstances which caused the woman to lose consciousness in the lake.
However, Mr Thomas said the incident served as a timely reminder.
“With the approach of New Year’s Eve, it is important to take care around water.”
There have been no lifeguards on duty at the Millicent Swimming Lake for several years and this fact has been queried by some commentators on the Facebook page of The South Eastern Times.
Wattle Range Council chief executive Ben Gower said the swimming lakes at Millicent and Naracoorte had a ministerial exemption from providing lifeguards due to their size.
Mr Gower said he expected council would consider any findings from a report into Tuesday’s incident.
“I am fairly confident the incident will be discussed at the next council meeting,” Mr Gower said.
“From my conversations with police, it is my understanding the first responders did a fantastic job.”
