Grateful dad recounts daughter’s rescue off Point Lonsdale pier

A father has thanked three fishermen who helped rescue his four-year-old daughter after she fell off the Point Lonsdale jetty on Monday.

Peter Waterhouse was taking the photo above of his three children when his daughter Ella (centre) dropped four metres into the water during stormy conditions.

‘The Spirit of Tasmania was passing by in the background,’ he told Tony Jones on 3AW Mornings.

‘And I simply said to the children, kids line up against the back railing and I’ll get a photo of three of you with your arms up in the air.’

The next few moments were a blur as Peter dived in to rescue her, but found himself fighting against the strong currents.

LISTEN: Grateful dad recounts daughter’s rescue