Thursday, 22nd November, 2012.
At 15h01 on Thursday, 22nd November NSRI Kommetjie volunteers were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following reports of a drowning in progress in the sea at Long Beach, Kommetjie.
Police had also received the call from a private residences’ nurses, reporting that a 53 years old man, was in difficulty while swimming during a walk on the beach with his dog and a care provider.
NSRI Kommetjie volunteer sea rescue duty crew responded to launch their sea rescue craft while the WC Government Health EMS were alerted and the SA Police Services, a Police Dive Unit, Cape Medical Response and Table Mountain National Parks marine officers responded to the scene.
On arrival on-scene, prior to the NSRI sea rescue crafts arrival, a shore based search had commenced and during the search the man was found on the beach, near to the kakapo wreck, on Long Beach. An unidentified surfer had rescued the man from the water after witnessing the man getting into difficulties.
Tom Coetzee, NSRI Kommetjie station commander, said that an NSRI Kommetjie quad bike was used to transport the man, who showed signs of exhaustion and hypothermia, to the Wireless road car park, where he was re-warmed in a Cape Medical Response ambulance. Following treatment the man required no further assistance and he was returned to his residence and he is now safe and in the care of his nurses.
Darren Zimmerman, NSRI rescue helicopter duty controller, said that the name and details of the surfer were not obtained as the surfer had left the scene before his information could be taken but he is commended for his effort today.
Details of the victim, who suffers from a psychological impairment, will not be released.
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