Bystanders Save Woman and Child from Surf; NSRI Responds to Dual Incidents in Mossel Bay

Andre Fraser, NSRI Mossel Bay operations controller, said: At 19h29, Friday, 19 December, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Diaz Beach, Mossel Bay.

NSRI rescue swimmers, our NSRI rescue vehicle, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and ambulance and Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services responded.

On arrival on the scene, we found a 30 year old female, from Kimberley, and a 12 year old male, from Bloemhof, relatives, had been rescued from the water (we believe) by bystander Good Samaritans.

Both patients were being assisted on the beach by bystanders - they were both suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms.

NSRI medics assisted with medical treatment, and they were joined on the scene by paramedics.

They were both transported to hospital by EMS ambulance - the female in a serious but stable condition and the male in a stable condition.

The bystander Good Samaritan rescuers and bystanders on the scene are commended for their efforts that contributed to saving the lives of the adult lady and the male child.

Earlier, at 17h27, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated to assist a local boat suffering mechanical steering failure close offshore of Mossel Bay Harbour.

The local 9 meter Catamaran vessel was under tow by a private vessel, and they required assistance to get into the Harbour.

The NSRI craft St Blaize Rescuer was launched and on arrival on the scene NSRI guided the casualty vessel to a safe mooring at the floating jetty without incident and no further assistance was required.