Freaque wave at Rainbow Beach

This simple news from the Rainbow Beach of Queensland, Australia as appeared today in Couriermail and reported by Anna Caldwell may not be too surprising, but it's happening is frightening:

JUST when you thought it was safe to come out of the water, a rogue wave has pummelled a swimmer to the ground as he left the surf at Rainbow Beach.

The incident happened about 11am today. The 53-year-old man from Aroona was attended to by an Energex Community Rescue Crew member who was camping with him at Rainbow Beach.

Yes, it can happen "just when you thought it was safe to come out of the water"! Nothing is safe in and around the shore and beach. It was certainly unexpected. That's why calling it a freaque wave is correct in this case. This 53-year-old gentleman is very lucky though, because there's a rescue crew member right there to help saved him immediately and

The Energex Community Rescue chopper was dispatched and the man was airlifted to Nambour Hospital.

Pilot Brent Hall said it was lucky a fellow camper was an Energex Rescue crew member who could apply first aid.

"The patient has suffered a suspected spinal injury and facial lacerations from the impact of the wave," Mr Hall said.

"We would implore all people on the beaches this summer to take care, especially when not in a controlled area."

We have heard all kinds of happenings. This one is about the most ordinary kind of situations -- and freaque wave is still dogging. Nowhere is safe really! "Take care" is not something that can be taken lightly! So please, please take care, whenever and wherever you are out there!