2 teenagers save a man's life at Buffalo Bay, Knysna. Patient evacuation of a ship in Table Bay

NSRI Knysna duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Murphy's, Buffalo Bay, a popular surfing spot. Also the NSRI Table Bay duty crew and WC Government Health EMS were activated following reports of a seaman injured on a 200 meter bulk carrier motor vessel at anchorage 2 in Table Bay.

Jerome Simonis, NSRI Knysna station commander, said:

The sea rescue craft Jaytee IV was launched while NSRI rescue swimmers, our NSRI duty doctor, ER24 ambulance services and Knysna Fire and Rescue Services responded.

On arrival on the scene a local man, age 24, was found on the beach. He had been rescued by 2 local surfers, aged 13 and 14.

It appears that the 2 teen surfers, while surfing at Murphy's, witnessed the man in difficulty in the water and they intervened and were able to get the casualty to the shore.

The casualty was attended to on the scene by our NSRI doctor and by the ER24 paramedics and as a precaution he was transported to hospital by ER24 ambulance in a stable condition for observation for non fatal drowning symptoms.

NSRI commend the 2 young surfers for saving the man's life.

TABLE BAY:

Paula Leech, NSRI Table Bay duty controller, said:

The sea rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom was launched, accompanied by 2 EMS rescue paramedics.

On arrival at the vessel 2 NSRI rescue swimmers and an EMS rescue paramedic were transferred onto the vessel and medical treatment commenced.

In adverse sea conditions, with a 2 to 3 meter swell and 15 knot wind, a technical rescue transfer of the patient from the unladen vessel, high out the water, onto the sea rescue craft was discouraged and Metro EMS Control dispatched the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter.

The rescue helicopter landed on the vessel and the patient, accompanied by the EMS rescue paramedic, was airlifted to a helicopter landing zone at the V&A Waterfront where, in a stable condition, he was then transported to hospital by EMS ambulance.

NSRI commend the close working cooperation between the emergency services during this operation.