There are some incredible humans who are willing to go above and beyond when helping those in need, sometimes even risking their lives. This appeared to be the case when a man from Mitchells Plain died while saving three teenagers caught in a rip current at Mnandi Beach, False Bay.
The hero in question is 48-year-old Reza Yon. Yon reportedly sprung into action when he saw the teens in trouble, grabbing a body board.
According to the National Sea and Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Strandfontein, it had been alerted of the incident at 2:45pm on Sunday with reports of a drowning in progress.
NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene, but unfortunately, other rescue services could not immediately be reached due to loadshedding which prevented digital communication.
“On arrival on the scene the NSRI rescue craft rescued 2 teenagers who were located in the back breaker surf zone, they were using a body board for flotation. They were rescued onto the NSRI rescue craft. Both were hypothermic and in shock,” said the NSRI via a statement.
The teens indicated that their friend had made it safely to shore, but that they had lost sight of the adult male who had been assisting them.
The NSRI rescue craft managed to spot Yon in the mid-break surf zone, but he was, unfortunately, “found to be lifeless.”
“Paramedics continued with CPR on Yon but sadly, after all efforts to resuscitate him were exhausted, he was declared deceased,” said the deputy commander of the NSRI Strandfontein, Arno Constance.
One teenage boy is 14 years old while the remaining two are both 13 years old.
“Without doubt the flotation of the body board contributed to saving the three teenagers lives. Reza Yon is commended for saving the lives of the three teenagers,” he said.
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