Brave act of mystery hero revealed after tragic fishing mistake (2025)

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A courageous stranger risked his life to try and save an elderly couple after their daily fishing trip turned fatal.

Ahmad Dunia, 86, and his wifeHalima, 74, had been at Manns Point in Greenwich, on Sydney's Lower North Shore, at 4.15pm on Monday.

Mr Dunia went to park his Toyota sedan at the popular fishing spot before he accidentally hit his wife, ploughed through a fence and drove into Parramatta River.

A 55-year-old man, from the Central Coast, then jumped five metres off a ledge to rescue Ms Dunia and managed to take her to a nearby vessel.

He also attempted to save Mr Dunia, but was unable to do so.

A second person is also understood to have attempted to help.

Superintendent Paul Devaney said on Tuesday the heroic bystander was continuing to grapple with the tragedy.

‘I have spoken with him a short time ago and he is quite traumatized, but, I inform you that we would be submitting an application for recognition of his bravery,' he said.

Mr Dunia’s body was recovered from the water by emergency services two hours after the incident.

His wife was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with a suspected broken ankle, bruises and abrasions, and in a state of shock.

Tributes poured in online for Mr Dunia in addition to requests for prayers for his wife’s recovery.

‘He returned to Allah, while his grandmother is in hospital undergoing surgery after their car plunged into the river,’ one post read.

‘Elevate his station among those who are guided. Send him along the path of those who came before, and forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds.’

Superintendent Devaney said the couple had been going to the same fishing spot daily for the last several years.

A crime scene has since been established and police have launched an investigation into the incident.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner, while police work to recover the vehicle for a forensic examination.

The Parramatta River reaches a depth of around ten metres at Manns Point.

‘Due to the depth of the water it is a complicated to recover the vehicle for a forensic examination and will require a crane,’ superintendent Devaney said.

Photos from the scene on Monday showed only a small fence blocked the car park from a sharp drop into the water.

Sitting on a park bench metres away from the broken fence was an abandoned esky and fishing rod.

The depth of the river made the search effort difficult, and rescuers were also hampered by the strong currents.

'The vehicle was bobbing but has completely sunk in the harbour,' Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.

'You cannot see it from the shoreline or above.'

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