A man was pulled from the sea at Babe Beach around 11:45 AM on Tuesday, with a cardiologist and an anesthesiologist who happened to be present, along with the Novalja Emergency Medical Team, taking part in the dramatic rescue.
A dramatic rescue unfolded on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Babe Beach in Novalja on the island of Pag. At around 11:45 AM, a man drowned, but thanks to the quick reaction of bystanders and healthcare professionals who were at the beach privately, his life was saved after nearly 40 minutes of resuscitation.
An account of the event was posted on the Facebook page Hitna uživo 194, run by emergency medical services personnel. A healthcare worker who was at the beach at the time described how everyone present immediately sprang into action as soon as the victim was pulled from the sea. According to her, the man was brought out without a pulse, requiring immediate intervention from all those present.
Among those who happened to be at the scene were a cardiologist and an anesthesiologist. Although none of them were on duty, they began resuscitation without hesitation. "Several of us who were there, even though we weren't on duty, jumped in to help. Among us were a cardiologist and an anesthesiologist, and after the Novalja Emergency Medical Team arrived, we continued together," Hitna uživo 194 quoted the healthcare worker as saying.
The conditions on the ground were extremely challenging. The resuscitation took place on a rocky beach, in temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius, with all participants in swimwear. Despite this, they managed to secure intravenous access. "I managed to establish an IV line in really difficult conditions, at 38°C, on a rocky beach, in swimwear, and without the usual working conditions," the post on the aforementioned Facebook page read.
Through the joint efforts of the doctors who happened to be present and the Novalja Emergency Medical Team, the resuscitation lasted approximately 40 minutes. In the end, they achieved the impossible—the victim's pulse was restored. The healthcare worker particularly highlighted the team spirit that prevailed throughout the operation, emphasizing that other beachgoers also joined in the rescue, not just medical staff.
"From the people who happened to be at the beach, to the doctors who were there privately, and all the way to the Novalja Emergency Medical Team, today we were all one team. Special kudos to the Novalja Emergency Medical Team—you were truly top-notch! I'm proud that, even though we weren't on duty, we didn't hesitate for a second but did what we know and what needed to be done! Bravo, everyone," she said.
There is currently no further information about the rescued man's current health condition.
