NSRI STN 32 PORT EDWARD:
Gert du Plessis, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said:
Friday, 19 January, at 15h16, NSRI Port Edward duty crew were activated following reports from Simunye Surf Lifesaving lifeguards of 2 swimmers in difficulty in the surf line at Silver Beach, Port Edward.
Simunye lifeguards had launched into the surf to assist.
NSRI Port Edward dispatched our NSRI quad bike and NSRI rescue vehicle, with NSRI rescue swimmers, and launched our NSRI rescue JetRib.
Med-Evac ambulance services, the SA Police Services and Police Search and Rescue responded.
On NSRI arriving on the scene lifeguards had rescued one swimmer, a 20 year old man, from the water and he was not injured.
3 lifeguards in the surf line, assisting the second swimmer, a 20 year old man, were about 150 meters to 200 meters off-shore.
Both men are students, from Pretoria.
Our NSRI JetRib reached them in the breaking surf line and the casualty was rescued onto our rescue craft and one lifeguard was recovered from the water.
They were brought to shore where that casualty, showing signs and symptoms of non-fatal drowning, was taken into the care of Med-Evac paramedics.
Our NSRI JetRib was relaunched, we reached the 2 lifeguards and recovered them onto the rescue craft, and they were brought to shore.
The patient was transported to hospital by Med-Evac ambulance in a stable condition.
He was released from hospital after receiving medical care, and observation for non-fatal drowning symptoms.
The swift response from all involved, and the quick reaction of the lifeguards, is commended.
Two swimmers rescued in the surf line at Silver Beach, Port Edward https://t.co/rLmbGma2Xg #ArriveAlive #Drowning @NSRI @MedEvacEMS pic.twitter.com/C1URtSSBD5
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 28, 2024