A video that went viral this week showing how two men save a swimmer at Planet Fitness in Craighall Park were celebrated by their company on 11 April.
The organisation held an event to celebrate the two staff members for their heroics. Our Rosebank Killarney Gazette editor Ashtyn Mackenzie had the great opportunity to interview the men, Brendon Marigagumbo and Karabo Thosago, as they talked about how the event unfolded as well as the survivor Gareth Utton.
Karabo was the first person on the scene. He was doing his daily work tasks and he was at the change rooms when he heard yelling, he thought it was his friends playing but ran back and noticed a man underwater, “I was scared and shocked when I saw him, I did not know what to do.”
Brendan said he heard Karabo screaming for help, he saw him holding the man in the water, “In two seconds I knew I had to go underwater and help, that’s when I realised the importance of decision-making where you have to decide everything at that moment.”
Utton explained that the doctors could not find anything wrong with him, his specialist added that it was a random seizure that happened for a number of reasons such as stress and lack of sleep.
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The event also raised awareness of the importance of learning how to swim and life-saving courses.
Both men said it is very important to learn to swim, Karabo said he tells his friends to learn how to swim and is willing to teach them even if they find it difficult because anything can happen.
Watch as Planet Fitness celebrate Brendan and Karabo for their heroics by handing them an R5000 cheque. They were also awarded lifeguard courses by Linden Life Guards, a level 1 first aid course, USN packages as well as goodie bags from Puma.
For exclusive to print photos and interviews don’t miss next week’s edition of the Rosebank Killarney Gazette.
