Cape Town - Three people were rescued after being swept into the sea at Hermanus, Western Cape, the National Sea Rescue Institute said on Monday.
Lionel Cunningham, 42, his daughter, 15; son, 11; and a nephew, 12, were standing on rocks near the water's edge in front of the Windsor Hotel when a large wave swept them into the water on Sunday, spokesman Craig Lambinon said in a statement.
Cunningham managed to hang onto a rock and grab hold of his son, but his daughter and nephew were swept into the sea.
Bystanders helped father and son get off the rocks. Afterwards he jumped into the sea to try and rescue his daughter and nephew, but was caught in the rip current.
Lambinon said a bystander, Favvaz Nel, jumped into the sea to help.
“It appears that he was responsible for rescuing all three out of the water,” he said.
All five were treated by paramedics for cuts, abrasions, bruising, exhaustion and shock.
The daughter was admitted to hospital for observation for secondary drowning symptoms and was expected to fully recover. - Sapa