An Australian priest has been hailed as a hero for rescuing a father and son from drowning—four years after saving another man from a shark attack.

Father Liam Ryan, known as “the surfing priest,” leads Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral Parish in Broome, Western Australia.

“I saw a couple of fellows who looked like they were getting pretty close to where a little flash rip was,” he told ABC News Australia.

Fr. Ryan paddled over to the pair and called out to them. They were then able to climb onto his board and be taken to safety.

“Being in a tourist town, we do get a few people who are not familiar with being around open water,” he said. “[It] can look really calm, but if there’s a big tide … one minute you’re in the flags, next minute you’re on your own.”

The rescue mirrors another act of heroism from the priest in 2021, when he was able to save a fellow surfer from a shark attack.

“I saw him off his board, looking really lost, and there was half a board floating there,” Fr. Ryan told The Catholic Leader.

It was then that the priest noticed a large white shark, between 13 and 16 feet long, take a bite out of the man’s leg. He was able to call for assistance, and a fellow surfer helped him paddle the man, who was “bleeding profusely,” back to shore.

He said that once the man had been airlifted to the hospital, he sought a moment of quiet prayer in the sand dunes.

“I had a little bit of a cry, and just blessed the Lord,” he said.

“There’s something deep inside you that wants to help. Christianity is built on that principle of someone giving their life for you.

“You come face to face with what would be one of the greatest fears for a lot of people, a lot of surfers… but what gives you strength in that moment is the grace of God.”

Fr. Ryan was given an Australian Bravery Award for his heroism in 2022.