Drowning tragedy averted at Uvongo Beach
The swift actions of Nkazimulo Nyawose and the Uvongo lifeguards are praised.
A potentially tragic drowning incident at Uvongo main beach was averted last Tuesday, thanks to the swift action of NSRI personnel and lifeguards.
Nkazimulo Nyawose of the NSRI drowning prevention team was inspecting NSRI pink rescue buoys deployed along the coastline when he noticed a drowning in progress.
It appeared that two 20-year-old women had been caught in rip currents while swimming. A young man entered the water in an attempt to assist them, but also got into difficulty.
The NSRI Shelly Beach duty crew prepared to respond while Nyawose immediately alerted Uvongo lifeguards. Although the lifeguards had officially gone off duty at 18:00, several were still nearby preparing to leave and responded without hesitation.
On arrival, the lifeguards utilised an NSRI pink rescue buoy stationed at Uvongo Beach to reach the three casualties. One woman and the man were assisted out of the water along the rocks and were found to be uninjured. A lifeguard using the rescue buoy successfully brought the second woman, aged 20, safely to the beach.
Netcare 911 and Ugu private ambulance services were activated. Craig Lambinon, spokesperson of NSRI said paramedics treated the rescued woman for non-fatal drowning symptoms before transporting her to hospital. She is expected to make a full recovery.
Lambinon said the swift actions of Nyawose and the Uvongo lifeguards, together with the availability of the NSRI pink rescue buoy, are commended.
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