Heroic rescue by wedding photographer

A TEENAGER owes his life to a wedding photographer.

Chantelle Botha – wife of another well known local photographer and paramedic, Craig – revived a 15-year-old boy after he nearly drowned in Port Edward on Saturday.

The boy had actually stopped breathing when his two friends rescued him from the surf.

Chantelle was photographing a wedding nearby.

“Something in me said I should turn around and I saw them trying to drag the boy from the sea,” said Chantelle.

Instinct kicked in. She dropped her cameras and ran to assist.

Fearing the worst, she carried on administering CPR for about 20 minutes. She was already exhausted from her efforts when she finally felt a pulse.

Netcare 911 paramedics and the sea rescue unit arrived shortly afterwards and rushed him to Margate Hospital.

Thanks to Chantelle, the boy is doing well.