The partner of a young diver who drowned last month has been praised for her ‘boundless fighting spirit’ after trying to save her boyfriend.
Cosi Palmer was spearfishing with Sam Hamilton when he drowned off the coast of Dawesville, Western Australia, on March 24.
Mrs Palmer ‘fought like hell’ to try to save her partner, resuscitated him and brought him to shore in their kayak.
In a statement she paid tribute to Hamilton, describing him as hardworking, strong and stubborn.
“He held his breath for too long and his body was pushed to its limits,” she said The Western Australia.
Cosi Palmer (pictured right) was spearfishing with Sam Hamilton (left) when he drowned off the coast of Dawesville
Ms Palmer reminisced about the way Mr Hamilton rode the waves, lifted her up with one hand and made everyone laugh, saying he was “the greatest gift” and will be missed by his family and friends.
Ms Palmer is known for reacting quickly after finding Mr Hamilton face down in the water, unconscious and not breathing.
Amid the shock, she activated the EPIRB on their kayak, called Triple-Zero and threw seats off her kayak before pulling him aboard.
Ms Palmer then performed CPR while receiving instructions from the rescuer before turning on an electric motor to move the kayak closer to shore.
She was met by Marine Rescue Mandurah crew, who continued to provide CPR before applying a defibrillator.
A paramedic was lowered from a helicopter to continue efforts, but there was no response.
Mandurah rescue skipper Jim Mitchell said providing continuous CPR would have been exhausting for Ms Palmer.
He said Mrs. Palmer did everything right and never gave up.
“I had been thinking about what I would say to Cosi, in front of her and Sam’s family, all the way back from the scene of the incident,” he said.
‘I told her, ‘You fought like crazy to save him! And you never gave up.”
Ms Palmer reminisced about the way Mr Hamilton rode the waves, lifted her with one hand and made everyone laugh, saying he was ‘the greatest gift’ and will be missed by his family and friends
“I felt I needed to reassure her of her boundless fighting spirit to save him, and also let the families know of her incredible courage, inner strength and clear thinking,” Mitchell said.
Mr Hamilton’s father Andrew said the family were ‘eternally grateful’ for Mrs Palmer’s strength, determination and presence of mind.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, he said she was “truly amazing” and that she had “done her very best to save him.”
“Cosi, you are beautiful, brave and strong,” he wrote in a letter. Sam would be so proud of you.”