German woman rescued from rip current in Plett

Marc Rodgers, NSRI Plettenberg Bay deputy station commander, said: At 12h47, Friday, 26th February, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a woman being swept out to sea in rip currents, between Enrico's and Arch Rock, Plettenberg Bay.The sea rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer was launched and NSRI rescue swimmers and ambulance services were dispatched directly to the beach.NSRI rescue swimmers swam out to reach the casualty, a 51 year old woman, from Germany, on holiday in Plettenberg Bay, 400 meters off-shore and at the same time the sea rescue craft arrived on the scene.The casualty was found caught in strong rip currents and holding onto a bodyboard. She was rescued onto the sea rescue craft and brought to the beach where paramedics treated her with oxygen. She was kept warm but following some medical treatment on the beach she required no further assistance.It appears that while she was being swept out to sea, after being caught in strong rip-currents, an unidentified bystander swam out to her with a bodyboard. It appears that the man who swam out to her with a bodyboard may have gotten into some difficulty himself and he left the bodyboard with her. He was reportedly able to swim back to shore safely, leaving the casualty with the floating device to hold onto to keep her afloat before the NSRI rescue swimmers and the sea rescue craft reached her.The unidentified bystander who swam out to the woman, and left the floating device with her, is commended for his actions.