Over the past weekend, NSRI rescue crews responded to a series of near-drowning incidents where lives were saved by the swift intervention of Good Samaritans on canoes and surfboards, alongside quick-thinking bystanders.
South Africa (15 October 2025) – The NSRI rescue crews have been exceptionally busy recently, responding to calls for help across the province.
Surfer Saves Two Teenagers in Hermanus
On Saturday morning, 11 October, the NSRI Hermanus duty crew were alerted to two 18-year-old males in distress off Onrus Main Beach. The teenagers, who were sharing a single bodyboard, were caught in strong sea currents beyond the backbreakers.
When NSRI rescue swimmers arrived, eyewitnesses reported that Mark Jardine (54), a local surfer, was already assisting the casualties. Using his surfboard for flotation, Jardine helped guide the teenagers through the surf and onto the rocks along the shoreline.
They safely reached shore with only minor scrapes and bruises and required no further medical care. The NSRI highly commended Jardine for his swift, life-saving intervention.
Rescuers Stop Drowning-in-Progress in Langebaan
The same Saturday on the West Coast, the NSRI Mykonos duty crew were activated regarding a drowning in progress at Shark Bay, Langebaan Lagoon.
Multiple services, including NSRI rescue swimmers, medics, West Coast Medical Rescue, and EMS, responded to the scene where two women had already been pulled from the water by a team of Good Samaritans, including a local fishing boat crew, a member of the Langebaan Yacht Club, and a resident in a canoe.
Nic Stevens, NSRI Mykonos station commander, reported:
“On arrival on the scene, bystander CPR efforts had managed to restore a pulse to the 33-year-old female from Bryanston, Johannesburg.”
Paramedics continued resuscitation efforts and transported the woman to the hospital in critical condition; she is now reportedly recovering under medical care. Her friend, from Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, was also taken to the hospital in a stable condition and has since fully recovered.
Commander Stevens explained that the two ladies had been swimming near a rented double kayak when they got into difficulty.
Local residents at Shark Bay, including Johan Nortjé, who launched his canoe, spotted the distress and quickly alerted a nearby local boat and phoned the NSRI.
The NSRI extended special thanks to all who helped, specifically commending the skipper and crew of the assisting boat, Johan Nortjé, and Bernard and Petro Pieters, who initiated life-saving CPR.
“We are wishing the Johannesburg lady a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with her, her friend, and their families,” Stevens said.
Man Stabilised on Flat Rock in Wilderness
The following day, Sunday morning, 12 October, the NSRI Wilderness duty crew was engaged in routine training when they received a call about a man in distress at Flat Rock, Wilderness Main Beach.
While making their way to the scene, they learned the man was safely out of the water and on the rocks.
Jonathan Britton, NSRI Wilderness station commander, reported finding bystanders administering first aid to the 43-year-old Pretoria male, who was in a serious condition with non-fatal drowning symptoms.
The man was stabilised by NSRI medics and an EMS paramedic before being transported to the hospital in a serious but stable condition. He remains hospitalised but is expected to make a full recovery.
Britton noted that it remains unclear whether the man fell or was swept off the rocks, but after eyewitnesses raised the alarm, waves swept him back onto Flat Rock, allowing bystanders to pull him to safety and begin first aid.
The man’s family has since expressed deep appreciation for all those who assisted and requested privacy.
From those who dove into the water to those who raised the alarm and administered first aid, the NSRI’s final commendation goes to the immense community effort demonstrated across all three incidents – highlighting that the quick actions of these selfless Good Samaritans were instrumental in saving lives.
Sources: Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 