Kimberley woman among those rescued as NSRI responds to deadly Western Cape incidents

A 30-YEAR-OLD woman from Kimberley was among those rescued during a series of dramatic maritime incidents along the Western Cape coast this past weekend, as the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) mounted multiple emergency responses – two of which ended in tragedy.

The Cape Argus reported that the Kimberley woman and a 12-year-old boy from Bloemhof were pulled from the water at Diaz Beach in Mossel Bay on Friday evening after a drowning incident was reported. According to NSRI Mossel Bay operations controller Andre Fraser, rescue crews were activated shortly after 7.30pm following eyewitness reports of people in distress in the surf.

By the time NSRI teams arrived, both victims had already been rescued from the water by members of the public. The two were treated on the beach by NSRI medics and paramedics for non-fatal drowning symptoms before being transported to hospital. The woman was described as being in a serious but stable condition, while the boy was stable. Bystanders were commended for their swift and courageous intervention.

Earlier the same day, NSRI Mossel Bay assisted a nine-metre catamaran that experienced mechanical steering failure just offshore near Mossel Bay Harbour. An NSRI rescue craft escorted the vessel safely to a floating jetty without further incident.

Further along the coast, NSRI Stilbaai crews responded to a boating accident on the Goukou River on Friday afternoon. A woman believed to be 27 years old sustained serious injuries after reportedly being struck by a boat during the incident. She was taken to hospital, where she remains in a serious but stable condition.

The weekend response also included two fatal incidents.

In Nature’s Valley, a 16-year-old boy from Cape Town was recovered from a sea cave after falling from a cliff while hiking. Despite extensive rescue efforts, he was declared dead at the scene, and police have opened an inquest.

In Hermanus, NSRI crews recovered the body of a man believed to be 27 years old after he was reportedly swept off rocks by waves near Schulphoek. Paramedics declared him deceased, and an inquest has also been opened.

The NSRI has conveyed its condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, while again urging the public to exercise extreme caution around coastal areas, particularly during periods of strong winds, swell and unpredictable sea conditions.