Five teenagers rescued off Port Edward
Two of the teenagers capsized while sea kayaking and were caught in the rip current.
FIVE teenagers were rescued from rip-currents at TO Strand, Port Edward last Friday.
John Nicholas, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said Port Edward duty crew responded following eye-witness reports of five boys, all aged around 19, being swept out to sea.
It appears that two of the teenagers capsized while on a sea kayak and were then caught in rip currents.
“Two friends first went to their assistance but were also caught in rip currents and when a third friend swam out to try and assist he too became caught in the current. A member of the public raised the alarm,” Mr Nicholas said.
The teenagers were rescued from the surf in relays by the NSRI Discovery rescue runner.
They were treated for exhaustion by NSRI medics, and Netcare 911 ambulance services were mobilised after two of the teenagers showed symptoms of near drowning. They were taken to hospital.
NSRI urges the public to be cautious and to be aware of rip currents. “While weather conditions improve as we gradually approach spring and summer, the winter sea conditions mean that the sea remains rough despite an improvement in the weather,” he added.
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
