Nine Rescued in Dramatic KZN Water Rescues
KwaZulu-Natal has witnessed a series of dramatic water rescues, with nine people, including an eight-year-old child, pulled from dangerous situations in the space of just 48 hours. Swift action by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and local lifeguards averted potential tragedies at multiple locations along the coastline.
The series of incidents began when NSRI St Lucia received an emergency call from a woman reporting that a boat carrying her family members had capsized in the surf zone at Cape Vidal Beach.
According to NSRI St Lucia deputy station commander Jan Hoffman, "The NSRI St Lucia duty crew responded to the NSRI St Lucia station 40 rescue base, where they dispatched the rescue vehicle towing the rescue craft JetRIB."
Upon arrival, the NSRI discovered that the men and the boat had managed to make it safely ashore. However, medical attention was required. "Four men were medically treated for injuries. Two men were transported to hospital by private transport for further medical care," Hoffman confirmed.
Later that same day, lifeguards at iSimangaliso reported a separate incident unfolding at Jabula Beach – a drowning in progress.
Hoffman explained the urgency of the situation: "Lifeguards entered the water, armed with an NSRI pink rescue buoy, to go to the assistance of an adult man and a male child caught in rip currents. NSRI St Lucia duty crew dispatched our rescue vehicle towing our St Lucia rescue craft JetRIB to the scene."
Adding to the response, "Police search and rescue, who were in the area at the time, conducting search efforts for the missing man from the earlier incident on January 2, also responded to Jabula Beach," Hoffman stated.
Both the man and child were brought safely to shore. However, the child was displaying symptoms of nonfatal drowning and required immediate medical intervention. "NSRI medics and police search and rescue paramedics administered medical treatment to the child, who was stabilised on the beach before being transported to hospital by EMS ambulance. The child is expected to make a full recovery," Hoffman confirmed, offering a reassuring update on the child's condition.
The following day, Tuesday, saw further drama unfold at Uvongo Beach, where lifeguards, who were preparing to leave for the day, were called into action to rescue three individuals.
NSRI Shelly Beach station commander Glen Preston detailed the incident: "It appeared that there were two females, aged 20, caught in rip currents while swimming. A young adult male had gone into the water in an attempt to assist them, but he also got into difficulties."
"NSRI Shelly Beach duty crew prepared to respond while NSRI alerted Uvongo lifeguards, who had gone off duty as scheduled at 6pm but some lifeguards were still in the area preparing to go home," Preston added, highlighting the quick response.
Using an NSRI pink rescue buoy, the lifeguards successfully rescued all three individuals. One of the women was subsequently transported to hospital for further medical assessment but is also expected to make a full recovery.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of the ocean, particularly rip currents, and the importance of swimming at beaches with lifeguard supervision. The swift and coordinated responses of the NSRI and local lifeguards have been praised for preventing further tragedy along the KZN coastline.
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