A Gauteng family was rescued thanks to the efforts of Good Samaritans and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), after being swept out to sea at Sandstrand, Jongensfontein in the Western Cape.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) station commander, Stéfan Grové, said rescue teams sprung into action following reports that a father, mother and their teenage daughter were caught in rip currents, and swept out to sea on Friday.
"Two surfers also assisted by swimming out to the family. The mother was found unconscious but still breathing," he said.
Grové said the woman was loaded onto a surfboard while the daughter and father managed to hold onto the second surfboard.
Once in the care of NSRI rescue swimmers, the NSRI lifeguard and the surfers, the family were kept afloat until the NSRI rescue craft arrived.
The family was taken aboard the rescue craft and on the return to rescue base, the mother regained consciousness.
"On arrival at our NSRI rescue base ongoing medical treatment was administered when their younger daughter arrived at the base to be reunited with her family. A Good Samaritan man, at the beach at Jongensfontein, had driven the younger daughter to our NSRI rescue base in Goodwill. The family reunion was highly emotional," Grové said.
The family was taken to a local doctor where they were further treated.
"The family, who are on a holiday to Stilbaai from Brits, Gauteng, have expressed their gratitude to all involved for saving their lives.
"The NSRI commends the two surfers for their efforts as well as the man who drove the daughter to be reunited with her family," Grové said.
On Thursday, authorities had responded to Tsaarsbank Picnic Site, West Coast National Park, near to Vondeling Island following reports from SA National Parks (SANParks) rangers of a drowning in progress.
A 16-year-old boy from Elsies River, on a holiday with family and friends, appeared to be caught in rip currents while swimming.
“The male partner of the teenager’s sister, age 22, had attempted to assist the teenager before the teenager disappeared in the surf zone. He then found himself in distress in the surf zone, caught in rip currents,” NSRI Mykonos deputy station commander Craig McGyver said.
A NSRI Mykonos rescue craft and JetRib were launched and joined SANPark rangers on the scene in a search operation along with police, emergency services and a rescue helicopter.
“During a search the 22-year-old was located in the surf zone - about 200 meters offshore - he was rescued onto an NSRI rescue craft. He was attended to by paramedics and SANParks rangers before being released, requiring no further medical treatment.
“An extensive air, sea and shoreline search revealed no signs of the missing teenager. Police Water Policing and Diving Services are continuing in an ongoing search, assisted by SANParks rangers,” McGyver said.
Cape Times
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