Swimmer rescued from rip currents

At 17h27 on Monday the 4th of April, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following multiple eye-witness reports of a man being swept out to sea by rip currents while swimming at Stander se Gat, between Leentjiesklip and Wilderness.NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene by road while the sea rescue craft Clemen Gold Rescuer was launched.WC Government Health EMS, George Fire and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services and ER24 ambulance services were also activated to respond.Andrew Barrel, the first NSRI rescue swimmer to arrive on the scene, launched into the water and swam to the casualty behind the back breakers using a rip current. On reaching him, Andrew secured the swimmer, 24 year old CJ Coetzee, to the torpedo tube. Within minutes, the sea rescue craft arrived on the scene and Mr Coetzee was taken safely aboard.While on the way to the beach in the boat, NSRI medics began medical treatment on Mr. Coetzee for non fatal drowning symptoms. Once on the beach, the patient was handed into the care of paramedics who continued medical treatment. He has been transported to hospital by an ER24 ambulance in a stable condition for observation for secondary drowning and is expected to make a full recovery.The multiple eye-witnesses who reported the incident and the rapid response of NSRI Wilderness and the emergency services to this incident is commended.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE