This is what happened on the east coast of Australia last week when cousins saved nine people from drowning and made national news headlines. 

Dolphin Point’s Damien Martin was hailed a hero after pulling several people from the surf at Burrill Lake Inlet on Wednesday, January 17.

The next day, his relative Jai Sheridan made world history when he completed the first rescue using a Little Ripper drone. 

Mr Martin, a chef, was on his lunch break when five children and two adults swam into trouble during an out-going tide, getting swept out to sea and into “six to eight foot waves”. 

The big wave bodyboarder said he was “just in the right place, at the right time” and was no hero. 

If his efforts weren’t incredible enough, Mr Martin completed all of this after breaking his back in six places almost six years ago.

According to his Instagram account, he was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital after the surfing accident in June 2012, spending weeks in hospital and even longer in a brace. 

Meanwhile, Mr Sheridan, who was in 2017 named NSW Lifesaver of the Year, was training to familiarise himself with the drone equipment as part of the NSW government's $16 million shark mitigation strategy when the call came through of two distressed swimmers.

He immediately responded and was able to locate the swimmers off Lennox Head within minutes of the initial alert. 

"I was able to launch it, fly it to the location, and drop the pod all in about one to two minutes. On a normal day that would have taken our lifeguards a few minutes longer to reach the members of the public,” Mr Sheridan told Fairfax Media following the rescue. 

Both swimmers were able to use the pod to make their way to shore, where they were met by lifeguards and only appeared to show signs of fatigue.

Judith Hart, Mr Martin’s aunt, whose cousin’s son is Mr Sheridan, said she was “so proud” of the two men.

“They are two wonderful human beings that are selfless individuals,” she said. 

“It is such a coincidence and is amazing that both boys saved lives in the same week.

“I can’t get over it. I am really proud to be related to two selfless heroes.

“It brought tears to my eyes. You are at risk when you enter the ocean with waves as big as they were that day, even if you have the skills.” 

Mrs Hart said “heroic genes” ran in the family, explaining Mr Martin’s grandfather was awarded a Military medal for bravery after serving in World War II and uncle Paul Martin was given a bravery award after rescuing people in the 1994 Como fires. 

“Paul rescued many people in the Como fires and at the time they thought he and his mate had perished,” she said. 

“They probably would have except that a very brave policeman came back through the fire and smoke to look for them after getting everyone they could out from streets where houses were exploding. 

“Around 200 homes in suburban Como burnt.” 

Mr Martin’s late mother Lyn would be “having a beer to toast to her son”, Mrs Hart said.

“My sister did a great job bringing up such wonderful human beings,” she said. 

“I am sure she would be proud and be having a beer to toast to her son. My brothers and I are so proud of both of the boys.

“Damien is one of four beautiful children raised by my sister as a single parent.”

Mrs Hart, who lives in the Sutherland Shire, said both men should be recognised for their efforts. 

“They are heroes, the pair of them,” she said. 

“How fortunate are those kids that Damien was there. And Jai, of all things, to be testing that drone when those swimmers got into trouble as well. It is incredible.

“From a little boy, Damien has always been fearless and inquisitive.”