Selfless heroes save man from drowning
Such amazing bravery and community spirit is to be applauded.
IGNORING their own personal safety, Yolandi van Deventer of Izotsha and Danie Herbst of Orkney, helped a 20-something man out of the surging waters at Margate Pier last Friday at around 5.30pm.
The man, who entered the water under the north end of the pier, was washed over a number of rocky outcrops in the small bay and at one stage disappeared under the water for about a minute. He was eventually washed into a rocky outcrop on the shoreline by the strong surge . Yolandi and Danie rushed across from the pier. Yolandi reached down to help the now rapidly weakening man, but was pulled into the water. Showing amazing courage and strength she managed, with Danie’s help, to get the drowning man out of the sea. Danie then helped her climb back onto the rocks.
The victim was checked out by local trainee paramedic Shannon Koekhoven and placed in the recovery position. He was then assessed on scene by MedEvac paramedics before being taken to Port Shepstone Regional Hospital. Both Yolandi and Danie were checked by MedEvac and Yolandi was treated for a laceration on her foot. She suffered other lacerations and bruises to her side and back but did not require further treatment.
Yolandi lost her cellphone and car keys in the incident but after an appeal on local Facebook page Hibiscus Coast Seconds, a replacement cellphone was found for her and handed over on Sunday. Such amazing bravery and community spirit is to be applauded and is a classic example of what can be achieved when citizens pull together for a common cause.
