When search and rescue crews arrived on scene in the afternoon, a team of 30 members lowered Rivers on a rope down a 25-metre cliffside into the water.

“He was quite cold and hypothermic when I got to him,” Rivers said.

“One of the other biggest pieces going through my mind is that I also want to home to my family,” said Rivers.

Michael Clarke who walks in the park every day happened upon the rescue and started recording it as Rivers was entering the water.