Two young Surf Life Saving heroes have been honoured at Parliament House for saving a boy at Goolwa Beach in January.

Teenagers Marcus Morgan and Rhys Highett were visiting Goolwa Beach on 24 January this year when a 13-year-old boy got into trouble whilst swimming in the rough surf.

The boy had been swept out by a rip and his family on the beach, who were poor swimmers, were screaming and flagging down passing cars to try and get help.

Luckily, Marcus and Rhys, both members of the West Beach Surf Lifesaving Club were in one of the cars that stopped. 

Despite being only two years older than the boy in the surf they ran into the water, telling others they were surf lifesavers.

They entered the water, despite the boy no longer being visible from shore, and fought through the breakers to find him floating on his back, his face just above the water.  

They then towed him 500m back to the shore, unassisted by any rescue equipment.

Once back on land they assessed the semi-conscious boy and stayed with him until assistance arrived. 

Marcus and Rhys were honoured at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday, presented with the Surf Life Saving Australia’s National Rescue Medal.

Surf Life Saving Australia’s President, John Baker ESM, said that the National Rescue Medal recognises the incredible and courageous acts of service in saving lives.

“I am incredibly proud and constantly in awe of the commitment and dedication our volunteer Surf Life Saving members have to patrolling our coastlines and helping those in need,” said Baker.

“Two 15-year old’s swimming over kilometre to rescue a 13-year-old, and a co-ordinated mass rescue, demonstrates the diverse range of skills developed and delivered across the country to keep those visiting the beach safe.”