A calm beach day turned into a nail-biting rescue mission when a swimmer got into trouble at Thompson’s Bay on Saturday.
One of the beach goers, Kerri Martinaglia said panic broke out when lifeguards began blowing whistles and warning a young lady to swim back into the flagged area.
“She seemed to be struggling and began getting swept out to sea very quickly. Two lifeguards sprinted to the shoreline and dove in after her. The south westerly wind had just picked up, so the sea was wild and unpredictable due to the strong choppy currents,” said Martinaglia.
“The waves were raging and the young lady was going under for a few seconds at a time. She was pulled out rapidly to back line and then north of Thompson’s Bay to a rocky area.”
Also read: Brave teen lifeguard saves young girl from drowning – Salt Rock
She said everyone on the beach was watching nervously – most people were out of the water.
“The young lady disappeared again, then the first lifeguard reached her and she clung to his yellow life buoy.
“The sea was so rough and you could see they were both struggling.”
Luckily a jet ski arrived with another lifeguard from Ballito main beach and Martinaglia said the crowd on the beach erupted into cheers.
“The jet ski rescued the girl first, then went back for the lifeguard who had been keeping her afloat. Everyone cheered as they arrived safely on the beach. People were thanking lifeguards and hugging the girl. They were crying with gratitude.”
Martinaglia said she went to thank the lifeguards who were incredibly humble.
“Two of them had cuts from the rocks. They just nodded their heads humbly and immediately started looking out for the swimmers on the sand bank. Each man in that lifeguard crew went to bed a hero that night.”
She said watching the whole spectacle was incredible.
“My family and I were so moved by the team work, efficiency and heroic effort of the young Thompson’s Bay lifeguard team. I often see the team training in the pool but to see them in action was astounding. What a formidable team!”
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