RESCUE OPERATIONS / 19 JUNE 2017

Spearfisherman assisted in Port Edward

NSRI Port Edward wild coast sun Rescuer Picture: / Sea Rescue.John Nicholas, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said:At 13h50, Sunday, 18th June, NSRI Port Edward duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a spearfisherman appearing to be in difficulty off-shore of Port Edward Beach and washing up against rocks.It appears that two local teenagers were swept towards the rocks by rip currents while spearfishing together and one had managed to get out of the water onto rocks unassisted and one was caught in swells and being washed up against the rocks.We dispatched our NSRI rescue swimmers and NSRI medics directly to the scene and Kwazulu -Natal private ambulance services and Netcare 911 ambulance services were activated.On arrival on the scene we found the 19 year old man, a local spearfisherman, had managed to pull himself up onto rocks and we were able to take him to safety on the beach and we treated him for non-fatal drowning symptoms and for mild hypothermia.His friend was found safely out of the water on the rocks and he was not injured.On their arrival paramedics continued with medical treatment and the teenager transported to hospital by a Netcare 911 ambulance in a stable condition for further treatment and for observation for secondary drowning and he is expected to make a full recovery.

TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE