A Christmas morning swim at a popular Port Stephens beach turned into a life-or-death drama, with a young man's survival hinging on the quick actions of his friends and a mystery stranger.
A Calm Swim Turns Critical
On December 25, 2025, 23-year-old Mackenzie Symons entered the water at Shoal Bay with his mates, Billy and Joe Labroad. The conditions were calm, and Mackenzie was a confident swimmer. However, the situation changed in an instant.
"We were only in the water for a very short time and I just saw him going under," Billy Labroad recalled. He rushed in to help but struggled with his friend's dead weight. "I was going under as well." His brother, Joe, joined the effort, and together they managed to pull the unconscious Mackenzie to the water's edge.
The Mystery Rescuer Steps In
As soon as they reached the sand, a man believed to be in his late thirties, who was at the beach with his two children, immediately began performing CPR. The friends describe him as "god sent."
"We were so lucky he was right there," Billy said. "It was only a moment and this guy was right in there." The brothers reported their friend was blue and unresponsive. The stranger administered more than six minutes of CPR, conducting four full rounds before finally detecting a pulse.
NSW Ambulance confirmed they were called to Shoal Bay beach at 9.30am on Christmas Day for a man in his 20s pulled from the water. Paramedics arrived within ten minutes and transported Mackenzie to John Hunter Hospital.
A Father's Dread and Relief
Mackenzie's father, Reano Symons, described the initial phone call as the most dreadful experience of his life. "Nearly losing my son was the most dreadful thing I've experienced," he said. Mackenzie spent two days in hospital, where staff revealed he had swallowed an estimated seven litres of water.
"Considering how long he was out for, his recovery was remarkable," Reano shared. "Forward three days and our boy is home with us... alive thanks to Billy Labroad, his brother, and this stranger." The family is now desperately trying to find the mystery man, believed to be staying in nearby holiday units, to thank him personally.
A Sobering Lesson on Alcohol and Water
The friends have been candid about the role alcohol played in the incident, admitting they had been drinking before entering the water—a practice they had done before without consequence. This near-tragedy has served as a harsh wake-up call.
"It has really hit us hard," Joe Labroad said. "It's a massive lesson learnt." Reano Symons was blunt in his warning: "Alcohol and swimming, or any water sport, is a serious no-no when you're drunk. My son found out the hard way." Mackenzie himself echoed the simple message: "Just don't mix alcohol and swimming."
National Warning as Holiday Risks Peak
This incident coincides with a stark warning from Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA). The 2025 National Coastal Safety Report reveals that the risk of coastal drowning is 3.3 times higher on public holidays and long weekends.
Alarmingly, 41% of all coastal drowning deaths occur during summer, and 87% of victims are male. The past year saw a record 154 coastal drowning deaths in Australia, with every single one happening outside patrolled areas or times.
SLSA CEO Adam Weir urged the public to prioritise safety: "Find your nearest patrolled beach, assess the conditions based on your own ability and always swim between the red and yellow flags." For Mackenzie Symons and his family, the importance of this message is now forever etched in their memory, as they continue their search for the man who gave them the ultimate Christmas gift—a second chance.
