UPDATE: Humble hero lauded for saving holidaymaker from rip current

“HE is a local hero and what he has done is simply amazing,” said toti beach manager, Superintendent Jace Govender of the fisherman who risked his life to save a drowning man.

Dup Du Plessis was fishing on Toti’s main beach at about 6.15pm on Thursday, 17 March.

“I saw some people playing in the shore on my right. The next thing I saw someone moving fast from right to left and I heard people shouting,” he said.

Without thinking, Dup took off his shirt and ran into the water. He swam out to a man – a holidaymaker – who was caught in a rip current and drowning.

“I have been fishing here for years and I know where the current makes a circle. People have been caught in it before.”

Dup reached the man and pulled him to the shore. Meanwhile, Robert Pienaar, who saw what was happening from his flat nearby, had rushed down to the shore.

“I saw the man had swallowed lots of water, so I began trying to get the water out of is system,” said Dup.

Robert joined him and helped with the resuscitation. Both men drew on their backgrounds in the army, police or ambulance volunteer services.

Through their combined efforts, the man was saved and ready to be transported by paramedics to hospital.

Lifeguards train for years to effect rescues, but for someone who is not trained for this to do it, is amazing.

“Dup makes what he did sound so easy, but it was not. Lifeguards train for years to effect rescues, but for someone who is not trained for this to do it, is amazing.

He is a local hero and it is good to know we have an extra set of eyes on the beach to watch for incidents like this. What he did made a big difference – he saved someone’s life,” said Jace.

The unassuming hero, who has been fishing in the area for many years, said he only did what was necessary and is grateful it all turned out well.