A couple from Germany got swept up in some rough water while swimming at Plettenberg Bay. Thankfully, the NSRI made sure they came out ok.
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa (21 February 2022) – Station commander Jaco Kruger from the NSRI Plettenberg Bay station shared a happy update about a tourist couple that got swept up in some rough seas. Thankfully, they got through it without any severe injuries.
The couple, both aged 63-years-old, is visiting South Africa from Germany. Eye-witnesses saw them being swept out at the Wild Side of Robberg Nature Reserve at 11h03 on Friday, the 18th of February 2022. The NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following the reports.
The NSRI Plettenberg Bay siren was sounded, and three sea rescue crafts including the ‘Ray Farnham Rescuer’, ‘Eric Stratford’ and ‘Leonard Smith’. Rescue swimmers were also deployed. The NSRI rescue swimmers, in their private vehicles, responded directly to the Robberg Nature Reserve parking area and ran along the hiking trail to reach the scene.
One rescue swimmer reached The Island and confirmed that the couple was being swept out to sea. They had already been swept about 100 meters across the beach, behind the backline and were in grave danger of being caught in rip currents.
“The rescue swimmer grabbed the NSRI pink rescue buoy, that is stationed on-duty on the pink rescue buoy pole at that beach, and he launched into the surf to go after the couple.
The rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer arrived on the scene and reached the couple rescuing both of them out of the water onto our sea rescue craft.
They were brought safely onto the beach and the remaining 2 sea rescue craft arrived while the rescue swimmer swam back to the shore.”
Once safely back on land, they were medically assessed by NSRI medics. A doctor, who happened to be on the beach at the time, assisted the NSRI medics. The couple were in good health, and it was clear they needed no further medical treatment. They were grateful for all the help offered during their scary ordeal.
“The eye-witnesses who raised the alarm and the swift response that contributed to saving the couples lives is commended.” – Jaco Kruger
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