Swift Action and Pink Rescue Buoy Contribute to Lives Saved at Uvongo

At 18h39 on Tuesday, 6 January, KZN South Coast NSRI’s Nkazimulo Nyawose, of the NSRI drowning prevention team, was inspecting NSRI pink rescue buoys deployed along the KZN South Coast coastline when he raised the alarm after witnessing a drowning in progress at Uvongo Main Beach.

NSRI – STATION 20, Shelly Beach

NSRI – Uvongo – Wednesday, 7 January. An NSRI pink rescue buoy and lifeguards contribute to a life being saved:

Glen Preston, NSRI Shelly Beach Station Commander, said:

It appeared that two females, both aged 20, were caught in rip currents while swimming. A young adult male entered the water in an attempt to assist them, but also got into difficulty.

NSRI Shelly Beach duty crew prepared to respond while Nkazimulo alerted Uvongo lifeguards, who had officially gone off duty at 18h00. Some lifeguards were still in the area, preparing to leave, and immediately responded.

On arrival, lifeguards utilised an NSRI pink rescue buoy stationed at Uvongo Beach to go to the assistance of the three casualties.

Lifeguards assisted one female casualty and the male casualty out of the water along the rocks. Neither was injured. A lifeguard, utilising the NSRI pink rescue buoy, rescued the second 20-year-old female to the beach.

Netcare 911 ambulance services and Ugu private ambulance services had been activated. On arrival, they medically treated the female casualty, who was suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms. She was transported to hospital by Ugu ambulance in a stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

The swift actions of NSRI’s Nkazimulo Nyawose and the Uvongo lifeguards, together with the contribution of the NSRI pink rescue buoy, are commended.