The day was sunny and clear but windy, with an air temperature of 10-12 degrees. The sea was volatile with waves coming to shore like cliff hangers, appearing to hold up indefinitely before the tons of water came crashing down. There were strong sucking shore breaks. The surf at Chrystalls Beach, near Dunedin, New Zealand, was larger than normal for the time of day, estimated at 3 metres, while the water temperature was in single digits.
13 year old Kalya and his 11 year old brother Kithmi were playing at the edge of the surf. After being hit by a wave, Kithmi lost his footing and was pulled further into the water by the shore break. As a competent swimmer himself, rather than panicking, he trod water and made attempts to return to shore when the surf allowed.
Twice, Kithmi tried unsuccessfully to reach the shore. That’s when Kalya decided he should attempt a rescue, quoting “OK Mum I’m going out, I might not be back”.
Kalya entered the surf, headed out to Kithmi (now some 60 metres off shore in rough seas), and effected a successful rescue using techniques he had learnt in Sri Lanka as a junior lifeguard course as a 12 year old.
Throughout the Commonwealth, only one Mountbatten Medal is awarded annually. Since its introduction in 1951, only 58 people have received the medal, some of them being life guards.
In its history there have been four New Zealander and two Sri Lankan recipients. Kalya has added to those numbers and his name will be added to the Mountbatten Life Saver Panel, in the entrance hall of the Royal Life Saving Society headquarters in Worcester, England.
At the time of Kayla’s rescue, the emergency services were alerted by Jules Haldane while her husband Stew raced down to the sea. Even Stew took a tumble retrieving the boys but, along with help from Jules, the boys were eventually assisted from the sea.
By this time the Emergency Services: Police, Fire, Ambulance and even a helicopter had arrived. The boys were medically assessed. They were extremely cold and vomiting, and, as in all cases of non fatal drownings, they were transported to hospital for overnight observation and care.
We acknowledge the tremendous work that Jules, Stew and the emergency services carried out as it was feared that only bodies would be retrieved given the horrendous sea conditions and water temperature that day.
Kalya’s rescue of his brother is miraculous. In honour of his bravery and safe rescue, Kayla has been awarded the 2022 Mountbatten Medal.
