Denmark open water swimmer Dr Stephen Junk hailed as a hero after rescuing three men in Greens Pool tragedy

A world-renowned open water swimmer has recounted the desperate moments he swam four men to shore — one of whom could not be revived — in an ocean tragedy on WA’s south coast. Denmark embryologist Dr Stephen Junk has been praised by police for rescuing three men and retrieving the body of their friend at Greens Pool, near Denmark. About 9am on Tuesday, the group of four visitors from Perth got into trouble 70m offshore at the idyllic tourist hotspot in William Bay National Park. They had swum out past the protected waters of the natural pool in “rough conditions”, Dr Junk said. No stranger to the sparkling clear waters of Greens Pool, Dr Junk jumped into action, saving three of them. Then, with the help of a police officer and Parks and Wildlife ranger, he brought their friend into shore — a Perth man in his 30s. Tragically, the man was unresponsive and could not be revived. “I wish I had been there 15 minutes earlier,” Mr Junk told the Advertiser on Tuesday. Dr Junk, who has completed some of the world’s most challenging open water swims, can be found in the water at Greens Pool on most mornings. “I heard from somebody else there was an emergency going on,” he said. “I went down to see what was going on and instantly saw three men out on the rocks, shaken by the look of things. “One of the other people on the beach said there was a body out there.” Dr Junk swam out to the rocks, collecting each stranded man one at a time and swimming them back to shore. In what he described as a 10-15 minute ordeal — “possibly more” — Dr Junk had to guide the men into shore. “I had to coax them in, they were in a state of shock, just lost their friend,” he said. “I had to talk them through it, tell them to move their arms, put their feet down, hold onto me and that it would be okay.” Despite local police stressing that he did not have it put himself in danger, Dr Junk insisted he could retrieve the body of the fourth man. “It was choppy, there wasn’t a high swell but there was a strong current today... if you’re not used to rips and currents it would be very difficult,” he said. “I didn’t do anything special... I’m a swimmer glad I was there so I could help.” Dr Junk urged people only to enter the ocean if they understood the conditions, particularly on a rough day. “I advise anyone, even if you are a strong swimmer to be aware because the sea conditions can change at any time,” he said.