A seriously injured 13-year-old boy became a hero on Saturday when he managed to pull his father out of danger and then ran for help during a weekend breakaway gone horribly wrong.

The father, 48, and son, 13, are members of a family of four who stayed over at the popular accommodation at Plettenberg Bay’s Robberg Nature Reserve.

On the second afternoon of their stay, during the incoming spring high tide, a wave swept the two off the rocks and tumbled them over the seaside rocks into a tidal pool.

According to Plettenberg Bay National Sea Rescue (NSRI) duty coxswain Nic van den Handel, several emergency services were deployed to the scene just before 15:30 on Saturday August 13.

Boy hero

“It appears that they were both rendered unconscious in the incident after being struck against rocks during their fall,” he says.

“The boy however regained consciousness and noticed his father unconscious in the water near him. With waves breaching the tidal pool, the son, despite his serious injuries, managed to rescue his father from the water bringing him into shallow water amongst the rocks.”

Van den Handel says the father regained consciousness, but was unable to help himself due to his own serious injuries.

The heroic boy launched into action and ran 50m up the hiking trail and stairs, despite his own injuries, to the Fountain Shack to alert his 44-year-old mother and eight-year-old sister.

The mother rushed to her husband’s aid while phoning the NSRI on a number found on a nearby emergency sign.

The family managed to get the injured man higher up on the rocks, out of the water, and initiated first-aid.

During the ordeal other hikers, including Italian tourists, also stopped to assist and the injured man’s daughter used a flashlight in efforts to signal passers-by for assistance. Hikers assisted the injured son back to the shack.

Combined rescue effort

An NSRI rescue craft arrived on the scene and volunteers initiated medical treatment.

“The sea rescue craft remained off-shore after dropping off the NSRI rescue crew in shallow surf. They were joined on the scene by additional NSRI crew, Western Cape Government Health EMS paramedics and Med-Life paramedics who had hiked to the scene from the parking area.”

The father was later secured in a Stokes basket stretcher and was carried up to the shack before the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter arrived on the scene with additional paramedics to assist with medical treatment.

“In relays the father and the son were airlifted by Skymed to the parking area where additional medical treatment was rendered before both were transported to hospital in ambulances in serious but stable conditions.”

Long recovery expected

Van den Handel says the father and son had undergone surgery for serious injuries.

“We expect an extended recovery period in the care of hospital staff and after care. They are both expected to make full recoveries.”

Van den Handel commends all involved for their swift response.

“The son is commended for rescuing his dad in the water despite earlier being unconscious himself and despite his serious injuries. The mom and daughter are commended for their efforts under trying circumstances.”

• The family asked for privacy while they recover from the ordeal.