Bravery comes in all shapes and sizes, and that’s exactly the case when a courageous 13-year-old came to the rescue of his dad.
A family of four from Knysna, including a 13-year-old boy and his father (48), were enjoying some downtime in the beautiful natural landscape of Robberg Nature Reserve over the weekend. However, the pair found themselves in a prickly situation when, on their second night staying at the Nature Reserve’s Fountain Shack, they were swept off a rock by waves.
According to the National Sea and Rescue Institute, they were washed into a tidal pool during the incoming spring high tide and were rendered unconscious as a result of the incident due to them being struck against some rocks during their fall.
The father and son were in a precarious situation as waves continued to breach the tidal pool. However, the son soon regained consciousness, and despite his serious injuries, managed to rescue his father from the water by bringing him into shallow water amongst the rocks. His heroics didn’t stop there, as he ran up a 50m hiking trail to alert his mother and sister who had no idea of the incident.
“The mom went with her son to render assistance to her husband and she raised the alarm calling NSRI using the phone number she found on the nearby emergency board. They were able to get the dad higher up on the rocks, out of the water, and they initiated first aid. The dad was able to assist in the process of moving to higher rocks. The incoming Spring high tide continued to threaten where they were on the shoreline,” said the NSRI.
Both the son and father sustained serious injuries.
Hikers passing by were able to lend a helping hand until the NSRI rescue craft arrived. Both the son and father were treated by paramedics and before they were airlifted to the nearest hospital.
They have both undergone surgeries in the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery.
Here’s to the amazing bravery of a 13-year-old boy, the kindness of strangers passing by, and the incredible work that the NSRI continue to do!
Also read:
Unusually warm weather sees WC’s dam levels take another dip to 76.2%
Picture: NSRI
