Update: Near drowning victim fights for life

A man who was rescued from a near-drowning at North Beach today is fighting for his life in hospital.

According to Netcare 911 spokesperson, Chris Botha, reports from the scene indicate that the man went into the surf and got into difficulty. Quick action from the lifeguard ensured that the victim was pulled out of the surf.

“Paramedics arrived to find the lifeguards doing CPR. After a few minutes the patient regained his pulse but his breathing was still compromised with the amount of water in his lungs. The Netcare 911 Emergency Care practitioner placed the man on a ventilator and after he was spinally immobilised, they transported him to a specialised hospital,” Botha said.