The Easter weekend almost turned into a tragedy for UK holidaymakers at Sheffield Beach when two of the family’s children almost drowned.

Local resident James Beith, who noticed the 10-year-old and 13-year-old children were in trouble on Friday morning, saved the day.

“I was having a chat with my fishing friends at the beach when I saw these children swimming. I noticed they were further out than they should be, and then realised they were actually in trouble.

“I quickly ran into the water, with my son following with the life-saving buoy placed nearby. It helped me rescue the children. It would have been very difficult if it was not available,” said Beith.

He said the life-saving buoy should never be tampered with and people must watch out for rip currents, especially at Christmas Bay.

Beith thanked the anglers who came to help when he brought the kids to shore.

KwaDukuza lifeguard superintendent, Bongani Xulu, commended Beith and warned beachgoers to stop swimming at unprotected beaches.

“If locals stop swimming at these beaches, chances are holidaymakers will do so as well.

“The life-saving buoy is a National Sea Rescue Institute initiative at most unprotected beaches and should never be tampered with or removed,” said Xulu.