JEFFREYS BAY - DROWNING TEENAGER RESCUED BY 3 AUSTRALIAN SURFERS

At 14h45, on Monday 04th July, NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Beach Break, Magna Tubes, Jeffreys Bay.

Station Commander, Rieghard Janse van Rensburg’s wife – Eidie, had noticed a child who appeared to be in difficulty in the surf and immediately activated the NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty crew. Shortly after activation the child came out of the water, however, he was shouting that his friend had disappeared under water. The second child had not been noticed before this alert.

While responding to the scene, eye-witnesses reported that the child who had reportedly disappeared under water, had been rescued from the surf by 3 Australian surfers.

It appeared that the 3 Australian surfers, Mitchell Ellis, Nate Searle and Luca Stevenson, had come across the teenager, a 15 year old male from Welkom, in the surf breaker line. Recognising he was in difficulty, they had pulled him from the water and together managed to bring him back to shore. The teenager appeared to be in a serious condition, and Eidie requested urgent medical assistance.

Jefferies Bay NSRI dispatched their sea rescue vehicle to the scene. On arrival NSRI medics commenced medical treatment to the teenager, who showed signs of non-fatal drowning symptoms, hypothermia and exhaustion.

The teenager was placed on oxygen and covered in a heated blanket and emergency space blanket until the EC Government Health EMS arrived on scene. The teenager was transported to hospital by the EMS ambulance and is in a stable condition. He will remain in hospital under observation for secondary drowning symptoms and continuing medical treatment.

The teenager is expected to make a full recovery and everyone involved, including members of the public and especially the 3 Australian surfers who rescued the teenager from the surf, are commended for their actions today.

NSRI ARE URGING THE PUBLIC TO BE CAUTIOUS AROUND THE COASTLINE.
TODAY IS THE PEAK OF THE NEW MOON SPRING TIDE, MEANING A HIGHER THAN NORMAL HIGH TIDE, A LOWER THAN NORMAL LOW TIDE, AND STRONGER THAN NORMAL RIP CURRENTS WILL OCCUR AROUND THE COAST FOR THE NEXT 4 TO 5 DAYS. PARTICULARLY BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AND WARM SUNNY DAYS AHEAD WE ARE URGING THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE OF THE SPRING TIDE AND TO BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS AROUND THE COAST.

VIA - nsri.org.za