'We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them': Bravery of four Jervis Bay teenagers involved in rescue recognised

It was March 4 when close friends, Harry Blundell, 15, Liam Ball, 16, Chase Lingard, 17, and Jye Crehan, 17, decided to check the surf at Hyams Beach.

Chase and Jye were out in the water, while Harry and Liam were taking photographs by some rocks, when they noticed two children struggling in the water.

Liam said their instincts kicked in immediately as they went in for the rescue.

"I saw two kids and I didn't think of anything else. I dropped the camera and ran across straight away," Liam told the South Coast Register.

"I wasn't really thinking ... we all just did it."

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The boys brought two siblings, aged 11 and 12, and their mother, Hulya Coleman, to shore before emergency services arrived.

Sadly, Sydney man Brad Coleman, 40, lost his life trying to save his children.

Hulya, Brad's wife and soulmate, said the boys who saved her and her children's lives will forever hold a special place in her heart.

It's Hulya's wish for their brave actions to be recognised.

"I was blown away by their bravery ... we really wouldn't be here without them," Hulya said.

"My one and only wish is for the boys to get the recognition they deserve because they were just so brave, courageous, and fearless.

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Still all understandably shaken by the incident, Liam expressed he is "very very proud" of his mates.

"We all did the best we could do," he said.

Hulya and the boys have all stayed in contact and hope to meet again soon.

"Hulya has been so lovely to us ... I hope all the best for her and the rest of her family. All of us boys do. We will 100 per cent meet again," Liam said.

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Liam's mother, Mim Agusti, said she could not be any prouder of her son and his friends.

"The spirit of a true Australian is what I think really showed in these guys," Mim said.

"They thought, 'there's a problem, we're used to the water, we know our limits - let's go'."

Hulya and Brad shared a love for the South Coast, and planned to one day retire there.

"We shared a dream that we would retire down there ... I would paint and he would read and we would grow old together," Hulya said.

"I will be back, there's nothing that will keep me away from the coast."

Brad's brother, Scott Coleman, has organised an online fundraiser for the family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-family-of-brad-coleman.

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