Brothers save the day
At least 50 bystanders, among them teenagers, men and women, formed a human chain from the beach into the water to assist the heroes.
Some 167 lives around South Africa have been saved though the Pink Rescue Buoy programme launched by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in 2017.
Ngeleka brothers, Phakamani (20) and Mqobi (16) from Nzimakwe went beyond the extra mile to rescue a bather in trouble, using the pink rescue buoys on November 30.
The brothers had come down for a swim at Glenmore beach when they noticed a man experiencing difficulty in the sea.
“The waves were big and there was a nasty rip current,” said Phakamani.
With no lifeguards in sight, the two grabbed the two pink rescue buoys at the beach and launched into the surf.
They then used the buoys to help to keep the bather afloat.
Another local, Sphiwe Mbele, a former lifeguard, also launched into the surfline to assist the brothers.
NSRI spokesman Craig Laminon said while they were gradually bringing the bather towards the shore through the surfline, using the pink buoys to aid their floatation, at least 50 bystanders, among them teenagers, formed a human chain from the beach into the water.
“Eye-witness reports have verified this remarkable community effort, the forming of a human chain, together with the Good Samaritans using two NSRI pink rescue buoys, contributed to saving the man’s life and is highly commended,” he said.
Meanwhile, NSRI Port Edward duty crew responded after reports of a drowning in progress at Glenmore beach. Paramedics from KZN EMS, police and members from K9 Search and Rescue also arrived at the scene.
On arrival, the man (20) was out of the water and was treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms. He was taken to hospital, and has since been discharged.
ANOTHER PINK SUCCESS
During routine training on December 2, NSRI Port Edward crew noticed a man being swept out to sea in rip currents at Silver beach.
The man’s father and a lifeguard launched into the water to assist him.
NSRI rescue swimmers and Emithonsaneni lifeguards, using an NSRI pink rescue buoy, yellow rescue buoys, and Malibu rescue boards launched into the surfline to assist.
“The combination worked well and the man and his son were rescued out the water,” said Laminon.
The dad and his son (20) were taken to hospital and are expected to make a full recovery.
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