A group, teenagers and young adults from Gauteng on an annual Voortrekker educational excursion camp in Port Edward, had been swimming and surfing at TO Strand when they were caught in rip currents on July 4.

NSRI Port Edward rescue swimmers and the NSRI Port Edward rescue vehicle responded after multiple eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress.

NSRI Shelly Beach, which was using the NSRI Port Edward JetRIB rescue craft as standby at a local fishing competition, towed the craft to Glenmore Beach, from where it was launched.

Netcare 911 ambulance services also responded.

NSRI was informed that seven people had reached the shore safely and had reportedly not been in any imminent distress.

One casualty was reportedly being swept out to sea and was being assisted beyond the backline by two Voortrekker section leaders who were using a surfboard for flotation.

The three stayed afloat until the NSRI rescue craft reached them. All three were brought safely to shore into the care of NSRI medics and Netcare 911 paramedics.

All three recovered from exhaustion in the care of the medical teams.

The remaining teenagers and young adults, who had made it safely to shore unassisted, were assessed by paramedics and released uninjured.

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