eMalahleni holiday makers make a difference in Margate

A couple from eMalahleni became heroes overnight after they saved six teenagers from drowning last weekend.
Mr Adriaan and Ms Annamarie Muller were on holiday in Margate and taking a drive along the beachfront was part of their itinerary on Saturday, March 5.

As the sun set at about 18:20 they noticed a group of children in the ocean that were in distress being swept out to sea and towards the rocks.

Without hesitation the couple ran down to the beach to help.

Bystanders on the beach ran with Adriaan towards the rocks where the children were heading too.
Emergency calls were made to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) from Shelly Beach who dispatched various other emergency services as a multiple drowning was reported.
Adriaan and the bystanders managed to pull six of the children onto the rocks. They were not sure how many children were in the water.

“The lifeguards that were on duty that day had completed their standby day, therefore the beach was unmanned by lifeguards when the incident happened,” said Mr Craig Lambinon spokesperson from NSRI.

The scene from Saturday evening, March 5 at Margate Beach. (Photo: Provided).

Rescue swimmers and craft were dispatched by the NSRI while SAPS search and rescue teams, KwaZulu-Natal emergency services, Med- Evac ambulance services and the Hibuscus Coast Disaster Management responded to the scene.
Two men, who believed to be off duty Durban lifeguards, swam out to assist where they could. They managed to swim back to shore with two lifeless bodies and they commenced with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

“The girls were aged between 15 and 16 years old. Sadly after all the efforts to resuscitate them, they both were declared dead on scene,” continued Lambinon.

There still is no end to the tragedy as the body of a 17-year old boy is still unaccounted for.

“I can confirm that we still have not found the missing boy and the search and rescue teams are busy with an on-going search,” said Captain Gerald Mfeka from Margate Police Station.

The group of pupils were from Sibongumusa High School, they were accompanied by their teachers and principal from Wartburg for a school outing.
Trauma counsellors from the police tended to the school group and an inquest docket was opened.

“Adriaan and Annamarie, and the two unidentified gentlemen who assisted in the rescue of the two girls, and other bystanders who assisted, are all commended for their efforts,” said Lambinon.

WITBANK NEWS could not get into contact with the Muller couple as they requested that the NSRI not give out their numbers.