Dramatic rescue unfolds at uMhlanga Beach
“It felt surreal. We didn’t really think, we just reacted. It didn’t sink in when we finally made it to the shore. At first we feared that they might not make it. Only when they took their first breaths did we take ours," said one of the rescuers.
THE quick-thinking and lighting-fast response of five local heroes saved the lives of two drowning swimmers at the uMhlanga Beach on Tuesday last week.
Screams from a group of young women alerted uMhlanga twins, Daniel and Matthew Syrén, to two ‘lifeless bodies’ floating facedown along the roaring current. The duo wasted no time and immediately charged into the waves.
They were soon joined by Reon Boosi, who, along with his fiancé, Dr Marli van Rensburg, were alerted by a fellow beachgoer. As they battled the waves their rescue efforts were quickly supported by a fourth anonymous hero.
“The brothers swam towards the first girl as I swam for the second. The current was exceptionally strong and the undercurrent began to drag all three of us further in. Fortunately another good Samaritan jumped in to help. As soon as we turned over the unresponsive bodies, a wave would engulf us and undo all our progress. Slowly we were able to retreat back to the shores,” said Boosi, who also hails from uMhlanga.
Back on the shoreline, Van Rensburg appealed to the spectators for a cell phone and called paramedics to the scene. Once the first victim was hauled to safety, she began CPR to resuscitate the unresponsive woman.
“When I got to her she was not breathing. I turned her onto her side to let all the water out of her lungs. I checked for a pulse, but could not find any. I then began administering chest compressions for about 30 minutes and then she finally gasped for air and started breathing. I then turned my attention to the second victim. She wasn’t in as serious a condition as her friend, and with a quick sternum rub she started breathing,” she said.
When asked how they felt after the rescue, Daniel said, “It felt surreal. We didn’t really think, we just reacted. It didn’t sink in when we finally made it to the shore. At first we feared that they might not make it. Only when they took their first breaths did we take ours.”
Jobe Xolani, a senior lifeguard at the Umhlanga Promenade confirmed that the two victims are on the mend and were discharged the same day. He said the incident took place after lifeguards had ‘knocked off’ for the day and he urged bathers to avoid or be extra careful when swimming in the ocean after 4.30pm.
Related articles:
Daring rescue by Durban North surfer
Virginia pupils save drowning toddler
