Three drownings averted in Rocky Bay
Local dive charter owner, Gareth Salmond, managed to rescue all three victims, two of which were holidaymakers.
Three near-drownings were averted at Rocky Bay last Saturday, April 13, thanks to local dive charter owner, Gareth Salmond of Ondasea Ocean Adventures.
“NSRI Rocky Bay duty crew were activated at 12.13pm, following reports of two people caught in rip currents,” said station commander, Kevin Fourie. “We dispatched rescue swimmers and eThekwini Municipal Lifesaving lifeguards from Scottburgh.”
Med-Evac Ambulance Services also responded.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Drowning update at Port Edward: Father who died was trying to save his daughter
In the meantime, quick-thinking Mr Salmond used an NSRI pink rescue buoy which was already positioned at the beach, to rescue two teenage swimmers, believed to be holidaymakers.
“We were having lunch upstairs at the ski-boat clubhouse when we noticed two children in distress in the water,” said Mr Salmond.
He saw that people were trying to assist the teenagers from the shore, but were unable to reach them.
“Someone had to get into the water to help them, so I ran down to the beach, grabbed the pink NSRI buoy, jumped in and swam out to them. I gave them the buoy to hold on to, swam them out of the rip current and back to shore. Having the NSRI pink buoy was an absolute lifesaver!”
While Mr Salmond was in the water, another man entered the water to assist and was swept beyond the backline breakers by rip currents.
“To help him out of the water, I relaunched my boat and picked him up past the backline,” said Mr Salmond.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Homegrown heroes commended for saving two girls at Rocky Bay
No one was injured and the NSRI team commended him for his efforts.
Mr Salmond advised bathers to swim only at beaches where there were lifeguards on duty, particularly over the busy Easter weekend.
“Should you come across someone who may be drowning and is in need of help, don’t just jump into the water. Assess the situation, call for help and do what you can within your own limits,” he added.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
