An Australian TV meteorologist is being hailed as a hero after undressing and diving into dangerous waters on a local beach to retrieve a man’s body – while cameras were still filming after a live broadcast moments before.
Luke Bradnam, anchor for Australia’s Channel Nine, was on Queensland’s Narrowneck beach last week reporting on the treacherous water conditions when he was alerted that a person may be fighting in the ocean.
That was when Bradnam quickly took action.
“Right after I went off the air talking to you, a boogie boarder right behind here in Narrowneck alerted me that he thought he saw someone again in the surf,” a wet, shirtless Bradnam told his fellow anchors in the air after the ordeal. Friday.
“I immediately took off my clothes and ran with the bodyboarder to help the person in trouble,” said Bradnam.
Unfortunately, the man Bradnam ran into the waters to rescue did not survive.
“As we approached, it became quite evident that there was a body floating in the water and we were both able to protect the body and make our way … back to shore,” the meteorologist told viewers.
The body of the man Bradnam helped to recover is believed to be Jake Jacobs, 32, who moved from the UK to the Gold Coast and was reported missing on Thursday, according to News.com. au.
A search and rescue mission was launched after the body of Jacobs’ swimming partner was found on Thursday night, the UK Mirror reported. Police believe the pair went out to swim naked on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Bradnam described the situation as “very distressing”.
The reporter told 9News.com.au that he hopes to “never go through this again”.
“In the heat of the moment, I thought this was someone’s son, that would bring some closure – we just have to do that,” said Bradnam, who dived into the water despite an injured shoulder.
After the incident, many viewers turned to social media to publicize their actions.
“Thank you for risking your own lives to try to rescue another one, and although the results were not what you expected a loved one to be back with them,” Stuart Weaver tweeted.