National – Shark Alert - Port Alfred and Life saved - Plettenberg Bay

NSRI are appealing to bathers, paddlers and boaters to be cautious due to the increased shark presence attracted by the whale carcass and we are appealing to bathers to not swim at Port Alfred beaches because of the increased shark presence.

SHARK ALERT PORT ALFRED:

NSRI and the Ndlambe Municipality are urging public caution along the Port Alfred coastline where the carcass of a Humpback whale has been spotted about a kilometer off-shore on the Western edge of Port Alfred, and drifting in an Easterly direction, with a visible shark presence at the whale carcass.

We are appealing to bathers, paddlers and boaters to be cautious due to the increased shark presence attracted by the whale carcass and we are appealing to bathers to not swim at Port Alfred beaches because of the increased shark presence.

The whale carcass is gradually drifting closer to shore and is expected to beach and this is being monitored.

PLETTENBERG BAY:

At 14h40, Thursday, 23 September, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Robberg Beach, near to the Beacon Island Hotel.

NSRI Plettenberg Bay rescue swimmer Deon Victor was nearby to the scene at the time and he responded while the remaining NSRI duty crew were activated.

On Deon arriving on the scene he fround at least 7 people in the water. 3 men appeared to be trying to get back to shore, 2 men were entering the water and there was a 17 year old male assisting an 8 year old female at the backline breakers and he was keeping her head above water.

The mother of the casualty was out of the water and we believe that she had entered the water to try to help her daughter.

Deon entered the surf and he swam out to assist and on reaching the teenager and the casualty Deon was able to swim the casualty to shore. The teenager also got out of the water safely.

By that stage additional NSRI crew and Med-Life Paramedic Services had arrived on the scene and the child was treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms and she was transported to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition and following observation and treatment in hospital she has recovered.

It appears that the child had been swept out to sea in a rip current when her mom and the bystanders leapt into the water to help.

NSRI commend the male teenager and everyone who assisted on the scene.