Sixteen year old Keegan Lowe from the mid-South Coast has been hailed as a local hero after rescuing three people (believed to be teenagers) from the surf at Pennington beach yesterday afternoon (November 20).

As per NSRI Station 39 Rocky Bay deputy station commander Linda Putter, at 13:15 the duty crew was activated after reports of a drowning in progress at the beach.

“NSRI Emergency Operations Centre received the initial emergency call from an eyewitness and NSRI duty controllers at NSRI Rocky Bay received additional calls from Gladiator Security and from local security,” she explained.

“The KZN Surf Rescue Network was activated and NSRI rescue swimmers, Umdoni lifeguards, IPSS Medical Rescue, IPSS Search and Rescue, local security officers, Saps and K9 Search and Rescue responded.”

It was established that four boys were swimming when they were swept out to sea in rip currents. Sea conditions were believed to have been rough in strong north easterly winds during this time.

It was a case of ‘in the right place at the right time’ as Keegan was at Pennington beach with his sister and friends.

He noticed the people in distress and entered the water to assist.

ORIGINAL STORY: Three people rescued, one still missing at Pennington beach

“He was wearing one body boarding (diving) fin, and he managed to rescue two teenage boys together, who he had reached in the mid surf break,” said Linda.

“After getting the first two boys safely to the beach, Keegan then grabbed a yellow rescue torpedo buoy (that is stationed at the beach) and he re-entered the water, still wearing the diving fin, and armed with the rescue torpedo buoy, to go after the other two boys who were in distress beyond the mid surf break.”

He reached one of the boys beyond the mid surf break, but unfortunately could not locate the fourth.

Paramedics medically evaluated the boys and determined that no medical care was required.

Umdoni lifeguards entered the water to search for the missing teenager, with shoreline search efforts being conducted by NSRI, IPSS, security officers and police, but there were and still are no signs of the missing teen.

The NSRI commends Keegan for his brave actions, and sends their thoughts and compassion to the family of the missing teen.

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