Surfer ‘AJ’ commended for his quick action with Pink Rescue Buoy

Garth Shamley, Duty Coxswain activated theNSRI St Francis Bay duty crew on Sunday afternoon following eye-witness reports of two men being swept out to sea at Grannies Pool, St Francis Bay, and a local surfer, who had grabbed an NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy at the b

each, was reported to be swimming out to try to assist the two men.

The sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II was launched and NSRI rescue swimmers, the SA Police Services and Private Care ambulance services responded.

On arrival on the scene the local surfer, known to NSRI only as AJ, had managed to get one of the men safely to shore with the use of the Pink Rescue Buoy but the second male casualty remained missing in the surf.

During a search the second casualty was located and recovered from the surf by two local surfers, friends of AJ, and by NSRI rescue swimmers, and brought onto the beach where NSRI medics and an NSRI doctor performed CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). Sadly after all CPR efforts were exhausted the man was has been declared deceased.

The rescued man was transported to hospital by Private Care ambulance in a stable condition for treatment for non-fatal drowning symptoms. The body of the deceased male has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services and Police have opened an inquest docket.

Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man.

NSRI commend the effort of the surfer AJ who went to their aid and was able to use the Pink Rescue Buoy to successfully rescue one of the men.

Bathers are warned to take care as there have have been a spate of bathers being caught in rip currents with three bathersand a body boarder in Jeffreys Bay being rescued by lifesavers last week. Fortunately all three were brought to shore safely.