Lifesavers rescue child and adult from dangerous rip current at Fish Hoek Beach

Four lifesavers have been praised for their quick action at Fish Hoek Beach yesterday, rescuing a child and an adult swept out by a powerful rip current.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, December 21, at around 4pm, saw a 10-year-old child caught in the rip current and pulled out to sea, while an adult family friend who tried to assist was also swept away, Lifesaving South Africa said. On-duty volunteer lifesavers immediately sprang into action, swimming out with Rescue Tube Buoys (RTBs) and reaching both individuals before they submerged. Both were safely brought back to shore, assessed on the scene, and advised to seek further medical evaluation at a hospital.

Dhaya Sewduth, Media Director of Lifesaving South Africa, praised the duty squad at Fish Hoek Beach, Amber van der Byl, Kate Becker, Rogan Krog, and Nikolas Balden for their swift and decisive actions in safely rescuing the two individuals and reuniting them with their families.

“These patients were fortunate to be swimming at a lifeguarded beach. This incident reinforces the critical message that bathers should only swim at beaches where lifeguards are on duty and during designated duty hours. Entering the water at unpatrolled beaches places lives at unnecessary risk,” said Sewduth. 

The City confirmed that three fatal drownings and 11 non-fatal drownings had been recorded in Cape Town. 

Lifeguards at the city’s waterside recreational facilities also recorded one first-aid incident at swimming pools, along with 22 water rescues at local beaches. In addition, there were 29 first-aid incidents and 13 cases of anti-social behaviour reported at beaches.

"Eight of the non-fatal drownings to date have been children aged between ten and seventeen. Please remember that children need to be supervised at all times, and make sure that they are aware of the dos and don’ts while swimming. Most importantly, let us all follow the instructions of the lifeguards at our beaches and pools this season, and do take advantage of the Identikidz programme. On busy days, it can take but a second for a child to become separated from their family or caregivers. Identikidz helps reduce the stress and anguish by making sure we can easily reunite them," said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham.

Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, drowning incidents continued to rise, both at beaches and in areas affected by the recent severe flooding.

"On Saturday, 20 December 2025, at approximately 14:00, the body of a 17-year-old male who was swept away at Umdloti Beach on 17 December 2025 was recovered at the same location by lifeguards. Fatal drowning statistics have continued to rise since last week, largely due to flood-related incidents and drownings in isolated inland waterways. The severe flooding that struck the KZNSouth Coast on the afternoon and evening of Sunday, 21 December 2025, resulted in several drowning incidents and reports of missing persons. By midday on 22 December, LifesavingSouth Africa had received reports of at least two confirmed fatalities directly linked to theflooding in the Lower South Coast area. Police Search and Rescue teams are currently continuing their search for three individuals who were travelling in a vehicle that was swept off a road in Amanzimtoti on Sunday evening," the Lifesaving body said. 

In the Eastern Cape, authorities reported no updates regarding two youngsters who went missing in the ocean at a Wild Coast beach in the former Transkei, both incidents occurred at non-bathing, unpatrolled beaches, Lifesaving SA said. 

"Lifesaving South Africa extends its sincerest condolences to the families who lost loved ones over the past weekend as a result of drowning incidents at beaches, as well as those related to the severe flooding that affected the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) South Coast."

The City reminded the public of its four golden rules of drowning prevention:

• Swim only between the lifeguards’ red and yellow flags at beaches
• Do not bring alcohol to the beach and do not drink and swim
• Be alert to the dangers of rip currents
• Actively supervise children at all times, especially around water