Emerald McKelvie was one of many good Samaritans who desperately tried to save a 17-year-old boy who drowned at Lake Lechenaultia.

Emerald spoke to Perth Today host Simon Beaumont about the amazing group of strangers who worked together but sadly were unable to save the boy.
“There were a lot of tears, everyone was crying in between dives because we were just really trying; we were all kind of beating ourselves up in a way because we just couldn’t find him,” she said.

Click PLAY to hear the heart-wrenching recollection.

Simon then spoke to Peter Leaversuch from the Royal Life Saving Society of WA about the dismal start WA has had this summer, clocking up 10 drownings in the first half of the season.
“There is the personal story, which is the first and foremost, but step back a bit and look at the bigger picture, and we’ve got a real problem,” he said.

Click PLAY to hear from the expert.

Image: 9News