Share and Follow
Radio host Ben Fordham became an unexpected hero when he leapt into action to assist a windsurfer in distress on Sydney Harbour.
Fordham, known for hosting the breakfast show on 2GB, was preparing to attend a wedding reception for his producer, Liam McGuire, on Friday afternoon. However, his plans were interrupted by the sound of urgent whistling coming from near Woolwich Dock.
Looking towards the water, Fordham spotted a group in trouble and, along with several wedding guests, quickly moved to offer assistance.
“They were still in the water with their windsurf board tipped over,” Fordham explained.
He shouted, “Do you need help?” and received a clear “yes” in response.
Several people pulled windsurfer Jonah Aiello onto the dock after he went out into choppy waters with friends.
“What went wrong was the decision to go out,” Aiello told 2GB this morning.
“We knew the forecast, we knew what we were getting into but we thought we’d chase a bit of fun.
“We all just got super overpowered, hadn’t been out in a while and everything broke loose.
“Luckily we had a support boat out there as well.”
Aiello was uninjured but was left with a few scratches on his nose.
“I had someone say ’I was disappointed’, they were hoping I was going to dive right in,” Fordham said.
“It was a great segway to pull you out of the water and start a wedding reception, it really made the afternoon.”
After the rescue, the windsurfer was invited into the event but he politely declined.
“I was in my wetsuit and had all of my windsurfing gear on,” Aiello said.
But Aiello extended his own offer to Fordham and his team.
“To any of the people who helped out, I know you got a bit of saltwater on your suits, so if you want to invoice me for some laundry fees, let me know,” Aiello said.