A woman in Western Australia is being praised by police for helping to save a 5-year old boy whose father was allegedly attempting to drown him.
The incident occurred on Monday morning, at roughly 6.15am on a beach at the Dampier foreshore, more than two and a half-two-hour drive west of Port Hedland.
The woman was exercising as part of a fitness group when she, along with other members of the public, saw a man drive his four-wheel drive vehicle into the water at low tide.
According to Seven News, the man was seen carrying his son out of the vehicle and trying to drown him in the ocean.
The woman from the fitness group raced to rescue the boy, punching the father several times. The Herald reported that the woman injured her hand during the incident and was later taken to Karratha Health Campus to be assessed.
The boy was also taken to the hospital, where he was assessed as “physically unharmed.”
WA Police commended the actions of the bystanders.
“The WA Police Force want to commend the bravery and actions of the community members who intervened,” a spokesperson from WA police said.
“Members of the community intervened and recovered the child. On police arrival, the man was arrested and is now assisting police with their inquiries.”
Speaking to ABC Pilbara yesterday, WA Police Karratha Detective Officer In Charge Jason Blaine said the bravery of the bystanders saved the child’s life.
“Without their involvement, their courage and their bravery to get involved, it could have ended a lot worse,” he said.
“They responded without hesitation and contacted the police.”
The father has been identified as a 26-year-old man from Nickol, a suburb of Karratha.
He has been charged with multiple offences, including one count of attempting unlawfully to kill, two counts of assault with intent to commission a crime, one count of reckless driving, and one count of driving while never holding the authority to do so.
He has been refused bail and will appear in court at a later date.