SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- The Olympic flame survived a hijack attempt in which the torch was nearly thrown in a harbour.

 Police said a spectator lunged and grabbed the torch from former world surfing champion Tom Carroll in Kiama, south of Sydney, as the relay was making its way up the New South Wales south coast.

 A police spokesman said the man tried to throw the torch in Kiama harbour, but was wrestled to the ground by Carroll and torch security staff. Police took the man into custody.

 The Olympic flame was due to leave the Kiama lighthouse early Monday and is scheduled to reach the outskirts of southern Sydney late Monday afternoon aboard an 1896 passenger tram.