Fishing Line to Lifeline: Brave Angler Rescues Woman Caught in Rip Current

The quick thinking and skill of a local angler, fishing along the shoreline at Dias Beach, Mossel Bay, who cast his rod, with fishing line and a Kabeljou hook attached, in the direction of a lady who was caught in rip currents while taking a midnight dip in the ocean, hooking her on her jeans and reeling her in to safety, has been commended.

At 00h57, Wednesday, 18 December, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Tri Towers, Dias Beach, Mossel Bay.

NSRI Mossel Bay rescue swimmers, the SA Police Services, Frontier Medix ambulance services, Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services and Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services responded.

On arrival on the scene a female, age 31, was located safe on the beach.

She was treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms by paramedics and following medical treatment she required no further assistance.

It appears that the lady, from George, had launched into the water to take a swim but was caught in rip currents during the Spring low tide.

Fishermen, angling from the shoreline, witnessed the lady in the water and a local fisherman cast his fishing rod in her direction, with fishing line attached to a Kabeljou fish hook.

The Kabeljou fishhook attached (hooked) onto her jeans and the fisherman was able to reel her in towards the beach where once she reached waist deep water a local fisherman waded into the water and helped her out the water onto the beach, as NSRI and the emergency services were arriving on the scene.

The local fisherman is commended for his effort that contributed to saving the ladies life.