uMhlanga heroes commended at Lifesaving SA Awards
The four heroes who rescued two bathers from drowning at the Umhlanga Beach in April were given special awards for their selfless efforts.
FOUR uMhlanga heroes were honoured for their brave efforts during a daring rescue on uMhlanga Beach in April, which saved the lives of two drowning bathers. The Lifesaving SA’s Awards Dinner was held on Saturday night.
The group along with 13 other heroes from across KwaZulu-Natal were recognised for their selfless efforts. La Lucia’s Carmeron White (17) was also commended for saving La Mercy resident, Shakila Singh from drowning during last week’s heavy rains.
According to Stanford Slabbert the convener of the Bravery Awards Committee, a panel of eight judicators, who have a collective of 500 years of life saving skills under their belt, assessed 26 rescues for this years awards.
Reon Boosi and brothers, Matthew and Daniel Syrén were presented with Bravery Awards. The trio along with a third anonymous hero charged into the waves on Umhlanga Beach when they were alerted to two drowning bathers. They pulled the two to shore where Marli Van Rensburg performed CPR to revive the victims. Van Rensburg was presented with a Drowning Prevention Award on the evening.
The Syrén twins told the Northglen News that they only recall the nerve wrecking day whenever they walk along the beach.
“It is not something we think about often. When ever we walk past the rescue spot all the old nerves and flashes of memories resurfaces,” said Matthew. The brothers agreed that they were humbled to be recognised.
Boosi shared their sentiments saying, “We feel very honoured and humbled.” However, he and his fiancé, Van Rensburg said the rescue is something they would never forget.
“It is something that will never leave us. Every time I jump into the pool I recall that panicked feeling, and how I struggled to breathe while swimming through those waves,” he said.
The Lifesaving SA awards was founded by Gabie Botha over 60 years ago. Botha, who survived two shark attacks was commemorated on the evening after passing away last week.
