Teenage surfer rescues paddle boarder in dramatic sea rescue at Saunton Sands

A brave 14-year-old boy has been praised as a “superhero” after rescuing a man who was left paralysed in the sea following a surfing accident off the North Devon coast.

Oscar McCrae, a Year 9 student and trained surf lifesaver, was surfing at Saunton Sands on the afternoon of Friday, April 25, when he spotted 62-year-old Gavin Bowden in difficulty near the rocks.

Gavin, a lifelong surfer originally from Sydney, Australia, was surfing on his paddleboard when a large wave knocked him off his board. 

He struck his head underwater and was left temporarily paralysed, unable to move his arms or legs.

“I went totally paralysed straight away… I was face down,” Mr Bowden said. 

“I shouted ‘help’ three times, and Oscar was there. He said, ‘I’m here. I’m here’.”

Oscar paddled over immediately, lifted Gavin’s head out of the water to help him breathe, and secured him on his board using techniques he learned from the Saunton Surf Life Saving Club, where he has trained for more than six years.

Despite rough sea conditions and large breaking waves, Oscar remained calm, paddling the pair away from the surf zone and using distress signals to call for help. 

ABOVE: Oscar McCrae signals for help after paddling to Gavin Bowden’s aid during the surf accident at Saunton Sands. Photo: Neil Phillips

His father, Danny, who was watching from the shore, recognised the signals and called 999.

The rescue operation took around 30 minutes. 

Oscar kept Gavin afloat and reassured him throughout.

Gavin recalled: “I said, ‘Don’t leave me, kid.’ He just said, ‘I’m not going to leave you’. 

“He asked me my name, if I had a family… He kept me calm. He saved my life.”

An RNLI lifeboat from Appledore arrived shortly after another surfer joined Oscar in the water. 

Gavin, who had a cut to his forehead and was in shock, was given emergency care by RNLI volunteers and taken ashore before being transferred to hospital by ambulance.

Appledore RNLI lifeboat operations manager Bob Meller said: “Please if you see anyone on, or near, the water who appears to be in difficulty, phone 999 and ask for the Coastguards. The crew would prefer to be paged for a potential emergency which turns out to be a false alarm than not to be called and find out someone really needed our help.”

Gavin was taken first to North Devon District Hospital for a CT scan before being transferred to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for further tests, including an MRI scan to assess for spinal cord damage. 

He was discharged three days later.

Now recovering at home in Knowle, he said: “Oscar’s my hero. Whatever training they’re doing with the surf lifesaving club – it worked. He was calm, professional and didn’t leave my side.”

Oscar’s mother, Ali McCrae, said the family were “incredibly proud” of his actions. 

ABOVE: Oscar McCrae, 14, returns to shore. Photo: Neil Phillips

“Oscar was understandably shaken but he’s since returned to the water. His quick thinking and training made all the difference.”

Gavin also paid tribute to the RNLI team: “They’re angels. When I got on the boat, I broke down crying. It had been half an hour of mayhem. They were so professional – I felt safe in their care.”

He said he would now be supporting the RNLI with a monthly donation: “If you’re ever thinking about going surfing alone, be careful. I wasn’t on my own – and I still nearly didn’t make it.”