A bizarre decision to ride an inflatable doll down a flood-swollen Yarra
River blew up in a woman's face yesterday when she lost her latex playmate
in a turbulent patch. The incident prompted a warning from police that
blow-up sex toys are "not recognised flotation devices".
Police and a State Emergency Services crew were called to the rescue when
the woman and a man, both 19, struck trouble at Warrandyte North about
4.30pm yesterday in Melbourne's outer northeastern fringe. They were
floating down the river on two inflatable dolls and had just passed the
Pound Bend Tunnel when the woman lost her toy in turbulent water. She clung
to a floating tree, calling for help while the man stayed with her.
Fortunately for the pair, a passer-by called triple zero while while a
kayaker took lifejackets to the pair. Police and a SES crew hauled the
water-logged thrillseekers to safety. The rescued pair were checked by
ambulance officers but did not require medical attention.
"The fate of the inflatable dolls is unknown," said Senior Constable Wayne
Wilson.
