TWO pensioners came close to death on Tuesday after being stuck in ‘quicksand’ at Alkantstrand’s dredger pipeline outfall site.
They were sucked down almost to their necks and had help not been close at hand, may not have lived to tell the tale.
‘I live in Richards Bay but wanted to take my two visiting Jo’burg friends, Susan Barnard and Marie Dickens, for a walk on our beach,’ said Lenore Adams.
‘We saw the dredge site and intentionally did not go close to the pipeline but chose instead to walk near the sea.
‘In a split second, we were stuck in the sand and were quickly being sucked further down.’
Susan (64) and Marie (65) found it impossible to extricate themselves, Susan even more so since she’d had a hip replacement last year.
‘I don’t want to consider what may have happened had it not been for some teenage boys playing fairly close by,’ said Lenore.
‘They immediately rushed to our help, got down on their hands and knees, and calmed Susan and Marie before pulling them out.
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‘We were in such a state that we did not get the names of the boys but we would like to thank them for their help, we are very grateful for their life-saving actions.’
Lenore said there were no warning signs, nor was there any danger tape warning beach goers to stay away from the dredge site.
‘There was one man in an official uniform sitting up on the dune but he did not help us and when we asked him afterwards where the danger tape or warning signs were, he said they had been stolen.’
Transnet National Ports Authority Dredging Services Project Manager, Kevin Stobart said there are two employees keeping an eye on the dredge site and it is their job to ensure people stay safe and do not get too close.
‘We do have danger tape, and these two employees are supposed to report to me if the tape has been stolen or washed away.
‘They are also tasked to actively ensure the safety of beach goers by keeping them away from the site.
‘I am visiting the site today (Wednesday) and will ensure the appropriate safety precautions are, and continue to be, in place.’
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