Salt Rock beach took the world stage when a video of two lifeguards losing control of their rescue boat on Friday, December 13, went viral on YouTube.

The video shows them crashing into a rough wave and being pitched over the side, while the boat continues to spinning and bucking with the motor still running.

The story even made its way onto the New York Daily News website, which describes the results of the incident as “hilarious”.

But some local commentators did not see the lighter side, condemning the incident in comments on YouTube and on the Courier’s Facebook page.

“This incident could have turned ugly, I hope these guys get what is coming… totally senseless and moronic”, commented Kevin Mackridge.

Others defended the lifeguards.

“Why not focus on the good these guys do instead of one incident”, said Lorna Mary Daniels Bulawayo.

Many people said they believed the accident had occurred because the man operating the boat had not been using the ‘kill-switch’, a key attached to the skipper’s arm that disengages the engine if pulled out.

In an official statement, KwaDukuza municipality senior lifeguard supervisor, Bongani Xulu said that “KwaDukuza municipality appreciates the potential danger to which the visitors were exposed”, and that “an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident”.

Xulu said the men had taken the boat out as part of their routine training.

“I know what is expected from myself and my team but at the end of the day we are humans. Mistakes and accidents happen and I am very apologetic and grateful that there was no harm to any individual. We all learn from our mistakes,” he said.