Shark victim thanks Albany paramedic for saving his life

An Albany volunteer paramedic who helped save the life of Bunbury surfer Sean Pollard had only just completed her six-month probationary period to become a paramedic when she came to his rescue and wrapped his wounds to stem the bleeding after he was mauled by a shark near Esperance yesterday.

Kylie Rothnie was enjoying a family holiday back in the town where she went to school when she rushed to assist Mr Pollard who lost both hands and part of an arm from the attack at Wylie Bay, 6km east of town about 11am.

Ms Rothnie, 35, administered first aid by wrapping the surfer’s arms in towels and helped convey him from the beach before more St John Ambulance paramedics arrived.

She had only completed her six-month probationary period as a volunteer paramedic last Friday before heading on the holiday with her family.

Esperance police Senior Sergeant Richard Moore said Mr Pollard, who is recovering in hospital in Perth, was "very lucky" the off-duty paramedic was on the scene and remained calm in the crisis.

Ms Rothnie has since been thanked by Mr Pollard and his girlfriend Claire Oakford in saving his life.

"If it had just been a member of the public and they had panicked it could have been a fatality on our hands," Sen. Sgt Moore said.

"The actions of the Albany paramedic were excellent and her and her husband are certainly commended by the WA police."

Sen. Sgt Moore said Ms Rothnie was quick to act.

"She was on the beach with her husband at 11am when the victim came to shore. She has provided first aid using towels on the beach to wrap his left arm up to prevent the blood loss," he said.

"Her husband and fellow officers have placed the victim in the back of his vehicle on a surf board which is nice and flat and driven towards the bitumen on Wylie Beach Road.

"As police attended and drove onto the beach, where the driver of that vehicle flashed the lights so police have stopped and escorted the vehicle off the beach and towards the hospital.

"As they were going down the bitumen road the ambulance has come along so they have stopped and the ambulance paramedic has administered further first aid to the victim and he has been escorted to hospital."

Read more in Tuesday's Albany Advertiser

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