A 64-year-old man from the United Kingdom had a lucky escape after being swept out to sea by rip currents at the Kleinmond Main Beach.
According to Schalk Boonzaaier, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Kleinmond station commander, at 18h16, on Tuesday, NSRI Kleinmond duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Kleinmond Main Beach.
“NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene where we found a 64 year old man, from London, United Kingdom, being swept out to sea by rip currents and approximately between 200 and 300 meters off-shore,” he added.
NSRI swimmers rescued man caught by rip currents at Kleinmond Main Beach
“Three NSRI rescue swimmers launched into the surf with our NSRI Pink Rescue Buoys and reached the man, who was barely conscious 300 meters off-shore in the surfline and caught in a rip current.
“We secured him and rescued him, swimming him to the beach, where EMR ambulance services had at that stage also arrived on the scene.”
Boonzaaier said that the man was treated on the scene by paramedics for non-fatal drowning symptoms.
“He was then transported to hospital by EMR ambulance in a serious but stable condition. Following treatment in hospital he was released from hospital during the night.”
