CAPE TOWN - Two teenage surfers aged 13 and 14 have been commended for rescuing a man from drowning at a beach in Knysna on Friday.
The teenagers, surfing at Murphy's – a popular surfing spot in Buffalo Bay - witnessed the 24-year-old man having difficulty in the water.
They rushed to intervene and were able to get him to the shore.
Sea rescue craft Jaytee IV was launched while National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) rescue swimmers, an NSRI duty doctor, ER24 ambulance services, and Knysna Fire and Rescue Services responded to the drowning.
NSRI Knysna station commander, Jerome Simonis said on arrival a man, aged 24, was found on the beach.
He had already been rescued by the two local surfers, aged 13 and 14.
“The casualty was attended to on the scene by our NSRI doctor and by the ER24 paramedics and as a precaution, he was transported to hospital by ER24 ambulance in a stable condition for observation for non-fatal drowning symptoms.
“NSRI commends the 2 young surfers for saving the man's life,” Simonis said.
However, two local bystanders in Herolds Bay and a surfer had no luck when they tried in vain to assist a Gqeberha swimmer in his 20s who was being swept out to sea, caught in a rip current.
Local resident Rennie Pringle was running to assist when he was handed an NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy while Dave Cammachie, wearing flippers and using his body board, together with a local unidentified surfer on his surfboard, swam after the man in an effort to save him.
The man disappeared under the water before they reached him.
NSRI Wilderness deputy station commander Mike Vonk said their duty crew were activated and other local surfers had also joined the search efforts.
“An extensive sea and shoreline search continued. Two NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the water from the sea rescue craft St Blaize Rescuer and they conducted free dive search efforts.During the search NSRI became aware of an Indwe Aviation, Titan Helicopters, Sikorski S-61 helicopter, in the air at the time, returning to George International Airport from the Dana Bay vicinity. NSRI Mossel Bay contacted George Air Traffic Control who appealed to the pilot to assist with the search and the helicopter captain obliged and the helicopter joined the search efforts.
“Despite an extensive air, sea and shoreline search there remains no sign of the missing man,” said Vonk.
Police have opened an investigation.
“Rennie Pringle, Dave Cammachie and the local surfers are commended for their efforts to try to save the man. Our thoughts are with the family, colleagues and friends of the missing man in this difficult time,” said Vonk.
Cape Times