Good Samaritans use pink buoys to rescue teenagers in Kommetjie
· The South African
Volunteer crews from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) were activated following reports of two teenagers appearing to be in distress in the surf zone at Kommetjie Beach, between Sunset Reef and Long Beach.
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According to the NSRI, an eyewitness contacted the organisation’s Emergency Operations Centre, prompting the activation of duty crews from NSRI Kommetjie and NSRI Hout Bay, along with members of the City of Cape Town Water Rescue Network.
Dispatched to the scene
Rescue swimmers, Cape Medical Response paramedics and Table Mountain National Park rangers were dispatched to the scene, while the Hout Bay crew prepared to launch a JetRIB rescue craft from their station.
However, upon arrival, responders found that the two local teenagers, aged 16 and 17, had already been safely brought ashore by Good Samaritans.
Paramedics assessed both teenagers on the beach and confirmed that they did not require further medical treatment.
Quick Thinking by Good Samaritans
One of the rescuers, Dylan Rattray, 24, from Kommetjie, had been working at his coffee stand on the beach when he noticed a commotion among bystanders pointing towards two young males struggling in the water.
While a nearby shop owner attempted to contact the NSRI, an unidentified man grabbed an NSRI pink rescue buoy from its pole and began wading into the surf towards the teenagers, who appeared to be caught in rip currents.
Rattray quickly grabbed a second pink rescue buoy and entered the water to assist.
Flotation devices
After taking the buoy from the man who had waded into the surf, Rattray swam towards the teenagers carrying both flotation devices.
He handed one buoy to the 17-year-old, who used it to stay afloat and make his way toward the shore, where the unidentified Good Samaritan helped him onto the beach.
Rattray then used the second buoy to reach the 16-year-old, assisting him back through the surf to safety with help from the same bystander once they reached shallower water.
Both teenagers were then met on the beach by NSRI rescue swimmers and paramedics.
NSRI Commends Rescuers
The NSRI commended Rattray and the unidentified Good Samaritan for their quick actions, which contributed to saving the lives of the two teenagers.
The organisation also highlighted the importance of its pink rescue buoy programme, which has contributed to 256 lives being saved by members of the public since its introduction in 2017.
The NSRI emphasised that no bystanders have been harmed while using the flotation devices during these rescues.
Members of the public are encouraged to help protect the rescue equipment placed along the coastline and to only remove the buoys from their poles during genuine life-saving emergencies.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, the NSRI confirmed that an American tourist was missing at Cape Point. No further update as to whether the visitor was found has been provided.