A dramatic rescue unfolded at Silver Beach, Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday, January 14, when two swimmers, a 28-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, were saved from drowning by quick-thinking rescuers. The two were caught in powerful rip currents while celebrating a friend’s matric results, leading to a harrowing scene at the popular beach.
The quick response of several heroes prevented a potential tragedy. An NSRI Port Edward trainee crewman, who happened to be surfing nearby at the time, was the first to notice the struggling swimmers. He immediately paddled toward them on his surfboard, and was soon joined by two Simunye lifeguards, who rushed into the surf with a rescue torpedo buoy to lend a hand.
By the time rescuers reached the swimmers, they had been swept around 100 metres offshore and were trapped in the dangerous rip currents, struggling to stay afloat. The woman was rescued first, safely brought ashore on the surfboard, while the man was taken back to the beach using the buoy by the Simunye lifeguards.
On arrival, the NSRI crew and the lifeguards worked together to provide urgent medical treatment for the pair, who had suffered non-fatal drowning symptoms. The group was soon joined by an EMS paramedic, who assisted with further treatment on the beach.
John Nicholas, the NSRI Port Edward station commander, praised the collaboration between the volunteer rescue swimmers, lifeguards, and paramedics for their quick and coordinated efforts in saving the lives of the two victims. Thanks to their timely actions, what could have been a tragic outcome was averted, and the two swimmers are expected to make a full recovery.
