GEORGE NEWS - Two men were brought safely ashore after being caught in strong rip currents at Leentjiesklip, Wilderness Beach, on Sunday afternoon, 7 December.
The successful rescue was a co-ordinated effort between the George Municipality’s NSRI lifeguards and the NSRI Station 23 Wilderness crew.
According to Jonathan Britton, NSRI Wilderness’ station commander, the alarm was raised at 13:12 when the municipal lifeguards reported two people in difficulty in the surf. The lifeguards hit the water, while the NSRI crew members launched the JetRIB Anne Stratford from the Wilderness rescue base and deployed a quad bike to transport additional lifeguards to the scene. The Western Cape Government’s Health EMS was also activated.
The lifeguards reached the first man and assisted him to shore without incident. The second man initially declined help, but was quickly swept farther out beyond the backline by powerful rip currents. The lifeguards stayed with him until the JetRIB arrived and brought him safely back to the beach.
Both men, one reportedly local and the other from Cape Town, were uninjured and required no further medical attention.
The NSRI commended the swift and co-ordinated response from all the teams involved.
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