Child rescued from drowning at Clarke Bay
Clarke Bay has a history of close calls, particularly during the holiday season.
A nine-year-old boy nearly drowned this afternoon after getting caught in a rip current at Ballito’s Clarke Bay.
IPSS Medical Rescue’s Paul Herbst told The Courier that the boy – who’s family was on holiday from Newcastle – was swimming when he got into trouble just before 4pm.
“The boy was sucked out by a rip current, his father said he was carried further than 60 metres,” Herbst said.
Fortunately KwaDukuza lifeguards were on duty and rushed in to rescue the struggling boy. When they pulled him out of the surf he was partially unresponsive and severely disoriented.
“IPSS Medical Rescue advanced life support paramedics found him with typical near-drowning symptoms including water in his lungs.”
Herbst said a positive pressure mask was placed on the boy, which increases pressure with each inhalation to force water out of the lungs.
The boy was taken to Stanger Hospital in a serious condition.
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