GEORGE NEWS - Two people, a 30-year-old man and a teenager (16) were rescued by George municipal lifeguards when they got into trouble in the water at Wilderness Main Beach on Tuesday 3 January.
According to NSRI Wilderness station commander Mike Vonk, the two casualties from George had been playing with a ball in the lifeguard safe designated swimming area between the flags.
“Attempting to retrieve the ball in the surf breakers the two males found themselves in deep water and in rip currents and they were unable to swim back to the beach. Three lifeguards immediately responded and they rescued the two males back to the beach,” said Vonk.
The teenager was treated by lifeguards together with a medic from George Fire and Rescue Services at the NSRI station in Wilderness. An NSRI rescue swimmer also responded to assist and NSRI provided oxygen during the on-scene medical attention. A Western Cape Government Health EMS paramedic assessed the teenager who required no further treatment. The 30-year-old male did not require any medical treatment.
The lifeguards are commended for their swift response.
Later that afternoon, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Wilderness Beach.
A man was swimming when he was caught in rip currents and a good Samaritan from Canada, Robin Denault (60) now living in South Africa, waded into the water to assist but was caught in the same rip current.
“He reached the casualty who had slipped under the water and he was able to hold the casualties head above water. George municipal lifeguards launched into the surf and reached them in the mid-surf break. NSRI Wilderness launched the NSRI rescue craft Rescue 23 Alpha and Ann Stratford Rescuer. The casualty had by that stage reached the beach with four of the lifeguards while NSRI assisted one lifeguard back to shore,” said Vonk.
NSRI medics initiated medical treatment for the casualty (24) from Gqeberha.
WC Government Health EMS rescue unit and ER24 ambulance services attended the scene where the man was stabilised before being transported to hospital by ER24 ambulance in a serious but stable condition. He remained in hospital on Wednesday 4 January.
NSRI commend Denault for his effort that contributed to the man’s life being saved.
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