A father of three who battled rough conditions to get to a teenage girl in trouble off Devonport’s Bluff Beach, said he wished he could have done more.
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The grieving family of Georgia Lewtas, 14, who died in hospital six days after she was pulled from the water unconscious has thanked Anthony King for what he did.
Miss Lewtas was swimming with a friend off the Bluff last Monday afternoon when the pair got into trouble. Two police officers and a man tried to swim to where she was face down in the water, but failed. However, Mr King, a public servant from Hobart, managed to reach her and kept her afloat until rescue boats arrived. The other girl got herself to shore.
Miss Lewtas was taken to the Mersey Community Hospital before being rushed to Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition. Sadly she died on Sunday.
Mr King said when he spoke to Miss Lewtas’ family on Sunday night to express his sadness for their loss the family passed on their appreciation for what he did.
“I just wish I could have done more,” Mr King said.
“It’s horrible, it’s hit really hard. I can’t stop thinking about Georgia and her family and friends and my thoughts are with them during this difficult time leading up to Christmas.”
Mr King set aside his safety to get to Ms Lewtas. He said “as a parent it’s just one of those things you just do when you see anybody in need, especially a child...”
The death of the St Brendan-Shaw College student has hit the community hard with many condolence messages posted on social media. Miss Lewtas was a talented dancer and did modelling classes with En Vogue.
En Vogue owner, Giovanna Simpson, of Burnie, said Miss Lewtas graduated in November with En Vogue.
“She was an absolutely beautiful girl and her smile lit up the room. She loved modelling and she just shone with her smile. Her smile is what I will always remember,” Ms Simpson said.
“She was so young and full of life, it’s heartbreaking for her mum and her family…”
St Brendan-Shaw College principal Frank Pisano said the school’s pastoral care and counselling staff had reached out to college students and families to provide support for those in need. “The St Brendan-Shaw College community is deeply saddened by the death of one of our students. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family,” Mr Pisano said.
Inspector Stuart Wilkinson said “Georgia’s family” had thanked Tasmania Police, Surf Lifesaving Australia and Ambulance Tasmania for their efforts and expressed their appreciation to MCH and RHH staff. “They have thanked the good Samaritans that went to the aid of Georgia when she was in the water,” he said.
