A 65-year-old Toti man was seriously injured after the boat he was on capsized and struck him three times at Reunion Beach on Monday afternoon, 16 May.
Netcare 911 media liaison officer, Chris Botha said paramedics received a call from the Amanzimtoti beach office at about 2pm regarding a boat that had overturned near the Isipingo River.
“Reports from the scene indicate that one engine failed as they were coming through the surf. A wave picked them up from behind and all the people were thrown from the boat,” said Botha.
According to Amanzimtoti beach manager, Jayce Govender, he arrived at the scene and found the boat running in a circle. It struck the pensioner three times across the back while the engine was still running.
A lifeguard paddled out on a board and managed to pull the elderly man onto the board before swimming towards the boat. He pulled himself aboard and managed to stop the engine.
While the other people took the boat ashore, he paddled the patient back to the beach.
“Paramedics found the man had sustained serious injuries,” said Botha. “After working tirelessly for about 40 minutes to stabilise him at the scene, they transported him to a nearby hospital under the care of an advanced life support paramedic.”
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