Quick-thinking Cape Town teens escape rip current at Yzerfontein beach

Two Cape Town teens narrowly escaped a dangerous rip current at Pearl Bay Beach by using a bodyboard as a flotation device to get to safety.

NSRI Yzerfontein duty crew were activated after an eyewitness reported two teens appeared to be in distress in the surf zone at Swem Gat, Pearl Bay Beach, Yzerfontein on Friday afternoon.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded while duty crew responded to the NSRI Yzerfontein station 34 rescue base to launch the NSRI JetRIB Janine.

NSRI Yzerfontein station commander, Junre Marais, said prior to arriving on the scene, NSRI were alerted that the two had managed to reach the shoreline and that they were safe. 

“They had been swimming when they were caught in rip currents. One teenager had a bodyboard with him and they had used that bodyboard as floatation to get safely back to shore,” Marais said.

The NSRI rescue vehicle continued to the scene to check on the wellbeing of the teens.

“On arrival we found both male teenagers, aged 16, from Cape Town, were safe at their holiday house.

“One was treated for shock but they required no further medical assistance. A doctor, with the teenagers, confirmed that they will be monitored for non-fatal drowning symptoms.”

Meanwhile, despite extensive CPR efforts, a 24-year old man was declared dead after getting into difficulties while swimming in the Natures Valley Lagoon, Grootrivier, Natures Valley on Saturday.

NSRI said multiple eyewitnesses raised the alarm while a group of men searched the water for the man who had disappeared under water.

Four Good Samaritans located and recovered the man and initiated CPR after bringing him ashore.

“NSRI coast watchers, from Natures Valley, assisted with CPR - using equipment from our NSRI all terrain vehicle - and they were joined by medical advanced life support - our NSRI doctor and NSRI medics - who were assisted with CPR efforts by a British doctor, who happened to be in the area and who volunteered her assistance.

“EMS paramedics arriving on the scene assisted with the extensive CPR efforts but after all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted sadly the man was declared deceased,” NSRI said.

Police have opened an inquest.

“Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man,” NSRI said.

Cape Times