Ballito resident Wayne Robertson will never forget the moment he saved a father and his two children from drowning near Willard Beach last Thursday.
While doing his daily run on the beach promenade, Robertson (46) saw three people battling against a rip current in rough seas and quickly went to check.
“I saw that there were two children, a boy and a girl, who were close to each other and their father who was also in trouble. I went for the children first.
“When I held them in my arms, they were holding me so tight and kept on saying, ‘thank you for saving us, thank you so much’ that brought tears to my eyes, because I have children.
“It was something that I will never forget,” said Robertson.
After getting the children to their mother who was standing on the rocks, Robertson went back for the father.
As he was helping him, another young man also came to help and they both pulled the man out.
“He was exhausted and as soon as we got him out of the water, I heard that paramedics were on their way and I left. I was feeling cold and I had bruises on my body, so I wanted to get home.”
According to KwaDukuza lifeguard superintendent Bongani Xulu, the patient was given first aid before being airlifted to hospital.
The family were swimming at a non-swimming beach.
Swimming remains unprotected in KwaDukuza due to shark nets being lifted during whale season.