There was a lot of wind and current on 12 June just under three years ago, but everything was in order for Vidar to go on a nice sailing trip together with his friend Fredrik. They had to swim across a strait in Skiftedalsvatnet of 100-150 metres. But then there was drama.
– I thought I was 25 and overestimated my physical form. I was completely exhausted. It dawned on me, and I don’t remember anything until I was rescued ashore, says Vidar.
But what actually happened?
Fredrik had made it to shore when he saw that Vidar was digging in the water. He called out to him, but got no answer. Vidar goes under the water twice, then he’s gone.
The then 17-year-old Fredrik threw himself into the water and hummed as hard as he could. He saw Vidar lying lifeless on the bottom of the water about three meters below the water’s surface, unconscious.
– On the first attempt I had pain in my head and ears. I caught Vidar, but I ran out of air and had to get back up to get more air. Vidar was lying down. I considered giving up, but made another attempt. I managed to get Vidar to the surface after I now had to go down about five meters to get him up, says Fredrik.
Fredrik managed to limp his stepfather about 25-30 meters towards land. It was too steep to get Vidar safely ashore. Fredrik pressed Vidar around his stomach to make him vomit all the water he had swallowed.
– Vidar had now woken up, and I had to ask him to hold on to the rock wall. 80 meters away there was a raft that I had pulled in towards Vidar. I got him up on the raft. Then I pulled the raft with Vidar towards a jetty against the wind about 100 meters away, says Fredrik.
Fredrik’s mother is a close friend of Vidar and filmed the last part of the heroic deed when Vidar was dragged towards shore on the raft.
Vidar Fløysand is clear that Fredrik Storesund Øksnes saved his life.
– Without the heroic efforts of Fredrik, I would not be here today. I have thanked him many times. I have had an extra birthday, on 12 June. We mark this every year, Vidar is clearly touched by the victory.
Vidar is a daily driver for Sotra Sports Club and lives in Hjelteryggen. Fredrik, who lives in Foldnes, has taken an apprenticeship in the recycling trade and is looking for work.
Mayor Tom Georg Indrevik is impressed by what Fredrik did this day.
– It shows that acting when the accident is out is of inestimable importance. I understand it to mean that you have extra good knowledge about lifesaving. It is important to have the basic knowledge you have. You put your own life in danger to save Vidar, said the mayor before handing over the medal and diploma.
Fredrik Storesund Øksnes has received a rescue act reward from Carnegie’s Heroes’ Fund for Norway for this act of rescue. Read more about the heroes’ fund here.
Here you can read reports in Vestnytt about the heroic deed.
Text and photo: Vigleik Brekke
