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Surfer saves young kangaroo from drowning

An Australian man has plucked a drowning kangaroo from the Queensland surf, as the panicked animal fought against a rip pulling it out to sea. The extraordinary tale has turned business speaker Neil McCallum into a media sensation following the 6 a.m. rescue on the Gold Coast's Kirra Beach. The 48-year-old was returning from a early morning run with his 15-year-old son Jazz on Tuesday when a young
/ Source: The Associated Press

An Australian man has plucked a drowning kangaroo from the Queensland surf, as the panicked animal fought against a rip pulling it out to sea.

The extraordinary tale has turned business speaker Neil McCallum into a media sensation following the 6 a.m. rescue on the Gold Coast's Kirra Beach.

The 48-year-old was returning from a early morning run with his 15-year-old son Jazz on Tuesday when a young kangaroo bounded across their path and straight into the water.

McCallum said he was immediately concerned for the kangaroo, given recent shark activity in the area.

The part-time surfer ran home and grabbed his longboard, sparing only enough time to tell his wife what was happening before heading back to the beach and plunging into the surf.

His wife Amanda, still dressed in her pajamas, came along and captured the entire rescue on camera.

He eventually herded the frightened animal back to the shore, where it bounded off.

McCallum said he had never before seen a kangaroo around Kirra, a built-up suburb about 12 miles south of Surfers Paradise, although reports of swimming kangaroos elsewhere are not unusual.