Paddler transported to hospital hypothermic

Rhine Barnes, NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander, said: 'On Monday 28th January at 15h09, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew were called out following reports of a paddler on a canoe in difficulty off Milnerton North of the Milnerton Lighthouse.'Our NSRI Melkbosstrand volunteers launched our sea rescue craft and their sea rescue vehicle responded. The WC Government Health EMS were also activated.'On arrival on-scene we found 24 year old Christiaan Beyers, from Louvenstein, in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, on the beach suffering from severe hypothermia.'It appears that the paddler had not attached the 'bung' on his canoe (a bung is used to stop water entering the hull while boating and then used to drain water from the hull after boating) and the canoe had filled with water while he was paddling, causing the canoe to capsize.'A golfer from the Milnerton Golf Club, 19 year old Michael McDonald, went to the assistance of Mr. Beyers, who was trying desperately to get to shore through the surf. Mr McDonald helped him to get out of the surf and safely onto the beach.'Our NSRI medics and EMS paramedics treated Christiaan for severe hypothermia and he was transported to hospital by an EMS ambulance in a serious but stable condition where he is recovering.' File image