Update on "brave" boy who was caught in rocks at foreshore

Police and Fire and Rescue services worked frantically this afternoon to free a 17 year old who had got his arm caught in rocks at Geraldton's foreshore this afternoon. Police say they received the call for assistance at about 2:45 today. 

A police spokesperson said the boy had been bodyboarding there as part of a school excursion, and had got his arm caught between two rocks. He was underwater for much of the time, only able to breathe in between waves. "[He was] was washed against the rocks and his arm became jammed between two boulders where he was submerged from large swell with waves crashing over him."

Police said it was "fantastic teamwork" that saw the young man rescued. About 8 police were present, with around 6 in the water, and around another 8 fire and emergency services members. DFES members used an iron bar and wood blocks underwater to jimmy a boulder away in order to free the trapped arm. 

Onlookers held grave concerns for the boy who was being rescued, and were very relieved when he was rescued unharmed. 

Police and DFES officers managed to grab him and carried him from the water to an awaiting St John Ambulance where he was conveyed to hospital for assessment. The young man was in the water stranded for about half an hour.