13-year-old boy rescues 2 teenage girls from rip current, surprised he was able to do it.

It was a terrifying day for Charlotte Baker, a 15-year-old girl who found herself trapped in rough waters at Venus Bay in Victoria. She never could have imagined that a casual swim with her best friend would turn into a life-threatening situation. But thanks to the quick thinking of a brave 13-year-old boy, she was able to make it back to shore safely.

Reflecting on the experience, Charlotte told 9News that she truly believed she was not going to make it out alive. It was the scariest moment of her life. The waves were relentless and she and her friend were struggling to stay afloat. In a moment of desperation, Charlotte gave up and just floated, screaming for help.

That's when Tom Walsh, a young volunteer lifesaver, spotted the distressed girls and knew he had to act fast. He raced back to shore to reach a new public rescue equipment station and was able to alert emergency services and grab a flotation tube to assist the girls. Tom explained to 9News how he approached the girls and gave them the tube, then let the waves carry them back to shore.

Charlotte couldn't thank Tom enough for his bravery and selflessness. She called him a hero for putting himself in harm's way to save her and her friend. Without his quick actions, the outcome could have been much different.

The public rescue equipment stations, which were installed just two weeks prior to this incident, proved to be lifesaving. They were designed to provide assistance in emergencies and are equipped with a button to call for help, a flotation tube, and language support. According to Life Saving Victoria's Danny Busija, these stations can make a significant difference in critical situations by saving precious minutes that could mean the difference between life and death.

Unfortunately, not everyone has been so lucky this summer. Seven people have drowned in Victoria, but thanks to the rescue stations, there could have been six more. While it is currently a trial, Life Saving Victoria is hoping to see more stations installed at other dangerous beaches. Paul Hoffman, also from Life Saving Victoria, expressed his hope that they won't have to wait three years for this to happen. He believes that the success of these stations in just one week proves how important they are and that they should be implemented in more places.

For those who want to stay informed and prepared in case of emergencies, the 9News app is a great resource. It provides updates on the latest news, sports, politics, and weather. With notifications sent straight to your phone, you'll always be in the know. You can find it on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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