A hero policeman says an elderly couple had said their final goodbyes to each other, seconds before being rescued from a sinking car in Creswick.
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Creswick Police Leading Senior Constable Simon Barker was one of two brave people to jump into O'Keefe's Dam on Thursday morning after an elderly couple from South Australia lost control of their car and careered into the water.
The other rescuer, a brave tradesmen who says he can't swim, is still insisting on remaining anonymous.
Speaking to the media on Friday after visiting the couple at Ballarat Base Hospital, Senior Constable Barker spoke about what the couple was thinking after the crash.
"They said goodbye to each other... they resigned to the fact that they weren't going to live," he said.
WATCH SENIOR CONSTABLE BARKER SPEAK ABOUT THE RESCUE HERE.
Senior Constable Barker said the couple were in good spirits after meeting with them at the hospital on Friday, less than 24 hours after they survived the near-death experience.
"They were in good spirits... they basically said 'thanks for saving us' but anyone else would do the same."
Having just left the Creswick Police Station prior to receiving the call, Senior Constable Barker said it was lucky he was so close to the incident.
SEE CONSTABLE BARKER IN THE WATER HELPING PULL OUT THE CAR.
After jumping in the water and reaching the car, he said the pair were starting to panic as the car rapidly filled with water.
"They were getting pretty frantic... it was probably another 30 seconds until it did submerge so they were very, very lucky."
Despite the fact it was below 12 degrees with an apparent temperature of below seven degrees at the time, Senior Constable Barker said he wasn't cold when he jumped in the help save the pair.
"It wasn't too cold, the adrenaline was pumping and I just had to do what anyone would do."
The 20-year police veteran, who has been stationed at Creswick for about eight years, praised the quick thinking and bravery of the tradesman who was the first on the scene and jumped in the water to help the couple.
"The tradie needs accolades as well... he was a hero as well."
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