Darren Sutton, from the UK, has commended an NSRI George Municipal lifeguard whose actions contributed to his life being saved at Wilderness Beach on Friday after he found himself caught in a rip current while swimming.

On Friday, 17 January, while taking an early morning swim, Darren Sutton, age 59, from Northumberland, United Kingdom, on a 3 week holiday in South Africa, while staying 2 nights at a Beach House B&B in Wilderness, found himself at the mercy of rip currents, swept beyond the back breakers, at Wilderness Beach, Southern Cape.

 

Darren’s wife Linda, noticing her husband to be in obvious difficulties in the surf zone, approached 3 NSRI George Municipal lifeguards, raising the alarm, where immediately NSRI lifeguard Channah van Coller launched into the surf armed with a rescue torpedo buoy.

Channah reached Darren beyond the back breakers ordering him to grab a hold of her rescue topedo buoy "and hang on".

Using the aid of the rescue torpedo buoy to keep Darren afloat she rescued him through the surf zone safely to the beach, where once safely ashore and reunited with his wife, he was medically checked by the lifeguards before being released requiring no further assistance.

They admit they are still in a bit of shock, but so thankful, Darren has told NSRI.

Darren has captured his thoughts in a heartfelt video commending lifeguard Channah for her professional conduct that contributed to saving his life, with some wise observations on the dangers that the sea may impose, even to a seasoned swimmer like himself.

Sea conditions were a lot stronger than I expected, said Darren, a regular and proficient long distance swimmer. Without the bravery of Channah I fear what may have happened.

My wife and I commend Channah for her actions that went above and beyond. Her heroic actions today, in rough seas and strong rip currents, and with me in tow holding onto her rescue torpedo buoy as she had instructed me to do when she reached me, will leave a lasting impression of gratitude on myself and my family, said Darren.

NSRI commend Darren's wife, Linda Barrett, for her vigilance, recognising that her husband Darren was in dire danger in the surf zone, her quick thinking to immediately rush to alert the lifeguards is applauded.

The lifeguards, arriving on duty at the time and setting up, had noticed Darren in the water and were observing him, appearing to be quite relaxed in the surf zone, when Linda approached them and without hesitation they sprang into action.

As Channah was reaching the shoreline a second NSRI George Municipal lifeguard, Josh Sholtz, entered the water to help Channah in wading Darren out the last few meters.

Darren and Linda met with Channah again during today to thank her and they have continued on their holiday, with a few days left in South Africa.

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