A 13-year-old boy has been hailed a hero for the way he leapt into action when his 10-year-old brother and grandparents were washed off rocks near Stanwell Park on Thursday afternoon.
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Mum Louise Andrews said she couldn't be prouder of what her son Brock Andrews did immediately after the incident.
"I am very relieved," she said.
"Brock called me to say he was around near Thompson's Rocks with my parents, who are in their 70's, and a freak wave washed them and my youngest child off the rocks.
"He had already called an ambulance and told me they were all on their way.
"I am extremely proud of hi\m. He was so calm when he called me and was very reassuring to me.
"He kept say 'Mum everything is okay, the ambulance is on the way and we are all okay'."
Mrs Andrews said Brock knew what to do because of what they family had taught him and his brother William when they were younger.
"When they were little we used to do role play practice calling Triple-0," she said.
Mrs Andrews said she was relieved the boys and her father Robert Pugh were okay but she is concerned about her mother Carol Pugh who was flown to Royal North Shore hospital by rescue helicopter with spinal injuries.
"I just want to find out how she is," she said.
Mrs Andrews said what happened on Thursday around lunchtime was her worst fear and she was so grateful that everyone survived. She said hopefully the family will be allowed to visit her mum in hospital very soon.
NSW Ambulance inspector Norm Rees said after Brock made the call at 11.45am emergency services rushed to Chellow Dene Avenue, Stanwell Park to discover the group of four were in a remote location about 20 minutes along a coastal walking track.
Mr Rees said when first responders arrived they discovered Mr Pugh and William had managed to get themselves out of the water but Mr Pugh had returned to the water after noticing his wife was unable to reach the shore. He stayed with his wife until help arrived to help her stay afloat.
"She complained of back pain so he remained in the water to help her float while we got services mobile," Mr Rees said.
"NSW Police activated Surf Rescue Life Saving and they sent two jet skis to help get them out of the water. We gave the rescue helicopter permission to winch in a doctor and a paramedic."
Mr Rees said Mrs Pugh was winched out and flown directly to Royal North Shore. Mr Pugh, Brock and William then walked out along the trail with paramedics, police and officers from Fire & Rescue NSW.
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