Bravery award for mid-South Coast teen
Keegan Lowe saved three lives in Pennington last November.
Mid-South Coast teen Keegan Lowe has received a Bravery Award Bronze from the National Sea Rescue Institute for saving three lives in Pennington last November. The award was presented at the NSRI’s 58th Annual Awards Evening and AGM recently.
The evening paid tribute to the dedicated volunteers and courageous individuals who risk their lives to save others in South African waters.
On November 20, four teenagers were swept out to sea by rip currents at Pennington beach. Linda Putter, NSRI Rocky Bay deputy station commander, reported that at 13:15, NSRI Rocky Bay duty crew were activated after reports of a drowning in progress at the beach.
NSRI Emergency Operations Centre had received the initial emergency call from an eyewitness and NSRI duty controllers at NSRI Rocky Bay received additional calls from Gladiator Security.
The KZN Surf Rescue Network was then also activated.
In the meantime, Keegan Lowe, who had been at the beach with his sister and friends, had entered the water, wearing one body boarding (diving) fin, and had rescued two teenage boys together, who he found in the surf break.
After getting the boys safely to the beach, he then grabbed a yellow rescue torpedo buoy stationed at the beach and re-entered the water, still wearing the diving fin, to go after the other two boys who were still in distress beyond the mid surf break.
Lowe reached one of the teens, beyond the mid surf break, but he could not locate the fourth. He was able to bring that third teen out of the water.
The brave Samaritan tried to locate the fourth teenager, but by that stage sight of him had been lost in the outer surf line.
A shoreline search effort then continued by NSRI, lifeguards, IPSS, security officers and Saps, but no signs remained of the missing teen. The three survivors were evaluated by paramedics and they required no medical care.
Two days later, the missing teen’s body was recovered.
The NSRI stated that Lowe’s bravery and selfless actions that day played a major role in saving three lives, and that they are proud to recognise and honour his achievement with this Bravery Award Bronze.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
