NSRI saves paddle boarders and children from drowning in Western Cape
NSRI crews in Table Bay and Kleinmond responded to three separate weekend emergencies, rescuing paddle boarders, two young cousins and a father and son swept into danger by wind and rip currents.
Image: Supplied/ NSRI
Two paddle boarders, two young cousins and a Cape Town father and son were rescued in three separate incidents as strong winds and rip currents triggered a busy weekend for NSRI crews across the province.
Just before 12:53pm on Saturday, NSRI Table Bay, NSRI Bakoven and the City’s water-rescue network launched after multiple eyewitnesses reported two people struggling on a stand-up paddle board off Bakoven.
Roxy Taylor, NSRI Table Bay coxswain, said the rescue craft Spirit of Day reached a local couple “a nautical mile offshore of Bakoven, caught in the 25 to 30-knot south-easterly winds”.
The pair, an adult man and woman, were taken aboard and their board was recovered. They were dropped at Camps Bay Beach unharmed. Taylor commended the public: “The eyewitnesses are commended for raising the alarm.”
On Sunday at 9:42am, NSRI Kleinmond was activated to Kleinmond Lagoon after Overstrand Law Enforcement reported two girls, aged 10 and 11, needing help following a non-fatal drowning.
Schalk Boonzaaier, NSRI Kleinmond station commander, said the cousins — one from De Doorns and one from Touws River — had been walking through shallow water with their grandmother when one stepped into a hidden hole. The second jumped in to help, and both showed non-fatal drowning symptoms.
Lifeguards, NSRI crews and paramedics from EMS, CMC and ER24 treated the girls. They were taken to hospital in stable condition for observation.
A second Kleinmond callout followed at 11:54am after reports of a father and son at Rooi Els needing urgent medical help.
Boonzaaier said the father had been bodyboarding when strong rip currents pulled him out to sea. His son entered the water to help but also got into trouble. They made it back to shore but were hypothermic and showing non-fatal drowning symptoms.
NSRI medics, ER24 and EMS crews treated and stabilised them. EMS/AMS Skymed was placed on alert, but both were transported to hospital by ER24 — the son in stable condition and his father in a stable but serious condition.
Authorities again urged caution as summer conditions intensify, with stronger winds and rip currents increasing the risk for ocean users.
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Cape Argus