WILDERNESS - A young man on holiday from Finland nearly drowned in a rip current near the mouth of the Touw River at Wilderness on Wednesday 26 June before he was rescued by his 17-year-old cousin.

The cousins are South Africans who now live in Finland, and are in Wilderness on a holiday.

After the 19-year-old was brought back to the shore by his cousin, he was taken to hospital by ER24 medics, where he recovered and was discharged.

Cassia Mildner, the NSRI Wilderness duty coxswain, said the NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated at 13:35 when a local resident reported a drowning in progress at Wilderness Beach near to Touw River Lagoon Mouth.
"NSRI Wilderness rescue swimmers responded to the scene and our NSRI rescue vehicle was dispatched. The NSRI Emergency Operations Centre activated the WC Government Health EMS. An EMS rescue squad, EMS ambulance and ER24 ambulance services responded," she said.

"On arrival on the scene one of the casualties was out of the water, on the beach, and in need of medical care, and one of the casualties was still in the water but close to shore. He exited the water without assistance."

The 19-year-old male was treated for hypothermia and for non-fatal drowning symptoms.

"We believe that while they were swimming the 19-year-old had been caught in rip currents when the 17-year old-went to his assistance, and together they were able to get back to the beach.

"The 19-year-old was taken to hospital by an ER24 ambulance in a stable condition where he recovered and was later discharged requiring no further assistance.

"The swift response by all services and the vigilance of the eyewitness, who raised the alarm, is commended," said Mildner.

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