EASTERN CAPE - RUSSIAN HOLIDAYMAKER ALMOST DROWNS AT PLETTENBERG BAY BEACH

Marc Rodgers, NSRI Plettenberg Bay station commander, said:

At 14h31, NSRI Station 14 Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Dunes Beach.

Our NSRI duty crew responded to our sea rescue base and the sea rescue craft Airlink Rescuer, Ray Farnham Rescuer and our Discovery Rescue Runner were launched and NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene.

On arrival on the scene, at 14h36, our crew on the sea rescue craft rescued an adult Russian man, who is living in Cape Town and on holiday in Plettenberg Bay, from the surf.

A local member of the public, Patrick Walton, had launched into the surf to assist using an NSRI rescue buoy that is stationed at that beach.

Our sea rescue craft arrived on the scene before Patrick could reach the casualty, who had been swept about 150 meters out to sea by rip currents, and Patrick swam back to shore unassisted and he has been commended for his effort.The casualty swimmer was taken to shore aboard our sea rescue craft where he was reunited with his relieved family and he was not injured and no further assistance was required.

via - NSRI