A 16-year-old boy, Keegan Lowe, became a hero after saving three teenagers from drowning at Pennington Beach in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, 19 November. The teenagers had been caught in dangerous rip currents, and despite the challenging conditions, Lowe acted swiftly to rescue them. Tragically, one of the boys remains missing, as he was swept away before Lowe could reach him.
According to Linda Putter, Deputy Station Commander at the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Rocky Bay, the four teenagers were swimming when they were suddenly swept out to sea by rip currents. “Keegan quickly dived into action and managed to save three of the boys, but it was too late to save the fourth, who disappeared under the water,” Putter said. The missing teenager is still unaccounted for.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon praised Loweβs quick thinking and bravery. “Keegan, who was at the beach with his sister and friends, entered the water wearing just one bodyboarding fin. He managed to rescue two of the boys in the mid-surf break,” Lambinon explained. After bringing the first two safely to shore, Lowe then grabbed a rescue buoy stationed on the beach and re-entered the water, still wearing the diving fin, to search for the remaining boys.
Lowe reached one more teenager, bringing him safely to the beach, but the search for the fourth boy proved unsuccessful. The missing teenager was last seen in the dangerous waters beyond the mid-surf break. NSRI has since issued a warning to beachgoers about the potential hazards of higher-than-normal tides and rip currents, urging swimmers to exercise caution.
Keeganβs bravery in the face of such danger highlights the importance of quick action during emergencies, even when conditions are perilous. His heroic efforts saved three lives, though the search continues for the missing teen.