GEORGE NEWS - A recently placed NSRI Pink Rescue Flotation Buoy at a Wilderness beach and a brave bystander colluded to save the life of a teenager.
At 12:05, Thursday, 28 December, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a drowning in progress in the sea in front of the Wilderness Hotel.
An NSRI sea rescue craft was in the process of being launched and lifeguards were also activated by NSRI to respond directly to the scene using their quad bike – approximately 3 kilometers from their station.
When lifeguards arrived on the scene, they confirmed that a 16-year old male was successfully rescued from the water by a member of the public who had used an NSRI Pink Rescue Flotation Buoy that is stationed at the foot of the stairs to the beach.
Lifeguards waded into the surf to assist the bystander with the casualty that he had just rescued to get out of the water the last few meters.
The teenager was not injured.
Western Cape Government Health EMS and George Fire and Rescue Services responded and ER24 were also activated by NSRI to respond.
Western Cape Government Health EMS paramedics medically checked on the teenager who was released after being declared medically fit by the EMS paramedics and he required no further assistance.
NSRI spoke to and commended the bystander rescuer, Mr. Johan Lamprecht, from Strand, Cape Town, who had noticed the teenager in trouble in the surf and he had grabbed the NSRI pink rescue flotation buoy and using the information on the board his family members raised the alarm while he jumped into the surf with the rescue buoy.
He was able to reach the teenager and get him safely to the beach as lifeguards were arriving, followed by NSRI and by the emergency services.
In eye-witness Claudine’s own words: “The Pink Buoy was a life saver, it definitely helped to save a life”.
NSRI commend Mr. Lamprecht and his family members for their quick actions in grabbing the Buoy, and the family members who used the information on the NSRI board to raise the alarm.
Multiple eye-witnesses had also called NSRI Wilderness to raise the alarm and we wish to take this opportunity to thank the callers for their concern and quick actions.
