German tourist in near drowning incident

Image: www.stfrancistourism.co.zaAt 14h00, Thursday 26th February, NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew were activated by a member of the public reporting that a person was in distress, being swept out to sea, at Cape St Francis main beach.A female German tourist had been swimming in relatively calm seas in the surf when she was caught in a rip-current.NSRI St Francis Bay Duty Coxswain Marc May and NSRI Medics were activated to Cape St Francis main beach, at the same time requesting the assistance of Paramedics from Private Care Ambulance Service, Humansdorp.Apparently, assisted by her husband and others in a tour group, the victim managed to get back to the beach but was exhausted and suffering breathing difficulties with near drowning symptoms.On arrival at the scene the casualty, Marthina Wondra, 47, from Germany, was found to be lying on the beach at the waters edge exhausted and with breathing difficulties.NSRI medics treated the patient, monitored her condition and wrapped her in blankets to keep her warm awaiting Paramedics arrival.NSRI St Francis Bay crew assisted with the extraction of the patient from the beach and transferred the patient to a Private Care ambulance in a stable condition.The Paramedics stabilised the patient on the scene and transported the patient to hospital for further observation for secondary drowning effects.It appears that Ms Wondra had swam out too far and not realised that there was a rip-current where they had chosen to swim.The tour group operator, also of Germany, raised the alarm.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONESMS 32287 with your name and a message of support for our Sea Rescue crew (SMS charged at R1)