Santa swaps sleigh for rescue boat, saves duo from drowning!

Melbourne, Dec 21 (ANI): Santa steered a rescue boat to save two lives at the Torquay beach in Victoria.

According to the Geelong Advertiser, two patrol members and Santa pulled out two boogie boarders from the waters at about 6.30pm, reports News.com.au.

The rescue call came when Santa had stepped onto an inflatable rescue boat with a sack-full of lollies for his grand beachfront entrance at the surf club's Christmas Party.

In front of eager kids on the sand and parents overlooking from the balcony, Santa emerged from behind Cosy Corner and tore across the sea to the drama unfolding at Point Danger.

A teenaged boy was struggling in the water after losing his boogie board and had been washed 30m away from his older male companion.

The male companion, believed to be in his late 20s, was thoroughly exhausted and struggling to stay afloat even as two surfers swam across and offered him a board as leverage.

Rob McAlister, a club patrol captain who co-ordinated the rescue, praised Santa for his help.

"They were in huge trouble, the two board-riders were really struggling with the whole situation," he added. (ANI)