Tathra mum Vesna Andric in hospital after George Bass Surfboat marathon incident

A lifeguard was left with horrific injuries after the surf boat he was paddling during a marathon event was involved in a freak accident.

Vesna Andric, from Bega, on the south coast of New South Wales, suffered a fractured pelvis, fractured ribs and internal bleeding when she was hit with the full force of a 300kg surf boat during the George Surf Boat Marathon. Bass on January 4.

Ms. Andric was paddling for the women’s side of the Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club and was heading towards the shore of Bermagui beach in difficult conditions when the disaster struck.

Her friend and teammate, Kate Whitton, told Daily Mail Australia that the accident started when the sweeper, the person who steers the boat, was thrown into the water, capsizing the boat on its side.

Ms. Andric was paddling for the Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club and heading towards the shore of Bermagui beach in difficult conditions when the freak accident occurred.

The crew had already jumped off the surf boat when a wave broke.

“A wave of trash on the coast came out of nowhere and picked up Vesna,” said Ms Whitton.

“These things weigh up to 300kg, so it has taken the full force of this ship.”

In the midst of the horrifying injuries Ms. Andric sustained, her spine was also detached from her pelvis.

“Luckily our open team of men had four paramedics who immediately sprang into action,” said Ms Whitton.

“They were there on the spot and treated her like she had a spinal injury.”

“I’m thankful we had the paramedics from the men’s team.”

An air ambulance was called to the beach and Ms Andric was airlifted to a hospital in Sydney.

Ms Whitton said Ms Andric has been recovering in ICU and has since had her spine reattached to her pelvis.

Her teammate Kate Whitton told Daily Mail Australia that the sweep was thrown into the water before the boat was tossed by a wave that hit Vesna.

The veteran paddler was attended to by four men from the men’s side of the Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club, who turned out to be paramedics, and was airlifted to hospital.

Ms Whitton has set up a GoFundMe to support Ms Andric, whom she described as “the loveliest lady who puts others before herself” (pictured John McKee Women’s Support Boat with Vesna Andric, Kate Whitton, Kim Burop and Suzie Hides)

He also revealed that Ms Andric was recently “helped to her feet for the first time since the accident.”

Ms. Whitton has established a GoFundMe Page to support Vesna during her recovery.

“You couldn’t find a more generous and supportive teammate,” he said when describing Ms. Andric.

‘She is the loveliest lady who puts others before herself. She has even been texting us to see if we were okay after the accident.

Ms Whitton said the Bega Valley community, Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club, the George Bass Surfboat Marathon organizing committee and the wider NSW surf lifesaving community have been very supportive throughout her teammate’s recovery.

“The Surf Salvage Club and the NSW Surf Club community are behind us and helped raise money,” he said.

‘The support has been incredible.

I have been very grateful to the local community as it is very close and everyone has joined this club and Vesna.”

Ms Whitton said the Bega Valley community, Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club and the George Bass Surfboat Marathon organizing committee have been very supportive.

Ms. Andric has competed in numerous George Bass Surf Boat Marathons and has been a member of previous surf clubs.

Ms. Andric has competed in numerous George Bass Surf Boat Marathons, which last seven days, and has been a member of previous surf clubs.

Ms Whitton mentioned her and Ms Andric’s enthusiasm for the 50th anniversary of the marathon in 2025.

Over $30,000 has been raised to support Vesna on the GoFundMe page.

If you want to support Vesna, you can donate here.