Fisherman saves teen, drowning claims another at Kabeljous River Mouth

A fisherman saved a 13-year-old boy caught in a rip current at Kabeljous River Mouth by reeling him in with his fishing line. Sadly, a second teen, 19, was found unresponsive and declared deceased.

At 10h07, Thursday, 26 December, NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Kabeljous River Mouth.

Two NSRI rescue craft craft were launched, NSRI rescue swimmers, our NSRI rescue vehicle, Relay EMS ambulance services and Kouga Law Enforcement responded.

On arrival on the scene we found a 13 year old local male had been rescued from the water by a fisherman (angling from the shoreline) who had cast his fishing line in the direction of the teenager who was able to wrap the fishing line around his wrist before being reeled to shore by the fisherman and he was taken into the care of Relay EMS paramedics.

A second teenager had gone missing in the surf.

A search was launched for the second teenager, a local male age 19, who was missing in the surf zone.

During a search the teenager was spotted in the water where NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the water to free swim towards the teenager and an NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed from an NSRI rescue craft.
Together the rescue swimmers recovered the teenager, who was unresponsive, to shore where he was sadly declared deceased by paramedics and a doctor.

The SA Police Services were activated.

The survivor was transported to hospital by Relay EMS ambulance in a serious but stable condition suffering hypothermia and non-fatal drowning symptoms and he is recovering.

The body of the deceased teenager was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

It appears that there had been three teenagers reportedly wading in shallow surf during an incoming tide when they were caught in rip currents and swept out to sea. Eyewitnesses raised the alarm.
One teenager self rescued and was not injured while the remaining two teenagers were in difficulties in the surf zone when NSRI and emergency services arrived on the scene.

Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased teenager.

The local angler who rescued the 13 year old using his fishing rod and reel is commended for his efforts.