Two lives were saved by a UK tourist who was taking a walk on the Sea Point Promenade when swimmers got caught in a rip current.
Also read: Local heroes and a “pink buoy” save another South African life
Toby Finneran (31), from Farnham in Surrey, said that he was taking advantage of Sunday afternoon’s good weather and took a walk from Saunders Rock above Queens Beach when he noticed two boys grabbing a pink rescue buoy on the beach at around 4:30pm.
‘At first, I assumed he was just messing around with his friends, but then I saw them on the beach looking panicked, pointing out to sea,’ the Ironman triathlete and avid surfer told IOL.
‘There were a few people watching, but nobody seemed to be doing anything. That’s when I saw a head bobbing in the surf amid the kelp.’
‘Without hesitation, I ran down the stairs, stripped down and grabbed the buoy from the boy, who told me his friend couldn’t swim.’
‘As a swimmer who does Ironman triathlons with a local South African Triathlon team called Embark, I felt confident in my abilities, even with the five to six feet swell and the strong rip current. I swam out between the two rocks, helped by the rip current, and found the lad, who was half-submerged.’
‘I gave him the buoy and told to him to calm down and let him catch his breath. Then, I tried to swim with the rope of the buoy to pull him behind me.’
‘However, a big set of waves came in and we were right in the crash zone, at risk of getting thrown onto the rocks.’
According to Finneran, panic set in as the buoy in the water drifted away.
‘As the wave hit us, the lad was unable to hold onto the buoy and got swept closer to the rocks.’
‘Before the next wave came, I quickly swam over to him, gave him the buoy, holding onto his arm as I attempted to pull him with me, trying to duck dive under the next wave, which was even bigger and had broken just before reaching us.’
‘In the gap before the next wave, I swam sideways, trying to make sure that any waves would take us back towards the gap rather than onto the rocks.
‘However, I soon realised that the strong current created by the same rip current that had gotten the lad into trouble was pushing us back out to sea. I swam sideways further and towards one of the rocks where I was able to hold on until another set of waves came that I could use to push myself along the rocks causing a few cuts and scratches,’ Finneran said.
The 31-year-old got through the gap using the rock and was assisted by a smaller set of waves.
‘When we got out, he (the boy) was very weak and he didn’t say much. His friend was very grateful. The boy was having problems with leg cramps, arm and chest pains. I sat him down and knew someone who swallowed water could possibility suffer secondary drowning (I learnt this by watching rescue TV shows),’ he said.
Finneran then called for a bystander to call emergency services before calling his friend, Greg Neal-Smith, an orthopaedic surgeon, for advice on how to assist the boy.
However, moments later, he needed to react to another emergency.
‘As I was focused on the lad, I suddenly noticed a figure lying motionless face down in the sand. He was about 18-years-old and I think he may have tried to save the boy.’
‘My heart raced and I ran over, administering first aid with the help of my surgeon friend, putting the person in the recovery position and monitoring their breathing.’
‘The bystander told me that the NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) was on their way, and I posted on a local travel WhatsApp group to get more help.’
‘Eventually, the NSRI arrived, followed by the fire brigade and paramedics. The lad and the person I had found were both checked over, and one was treated for hypothermia and secondary drowning,’ he said.
‘I didn’t have time to think. I just went. I don’t feel like a hero. I think that is what you are supposed to do. If someone is in trouble you should help. It’s your responsibility as a human’.
Reflecting on the incident, Finneran said he couldn’t help but think about the dangers of rip currents.
‘They’re a hidden danger that can quickly sweep even the strongest swimmers out to sea. I knew from experience how treacherous they can be, and I was grateful that I had been able to help the boy in time,’ he said.
‘As I watched the emergency services attend to the boy and the person I had found on the beach, I hoped that others would learn from this experience and take the necessary precautions to stay safe in the water. Rip currents are a powerful force, but with knowledge and awareness, we can avoid the dangers they pose.’
‘More awareness surrounding rip currents should be shared. I have heard of many drownings at beaches in Cape Town and think they should have a notice to say how many drownings have taken place at a particular beach.’
‘Also, have a notice with imagery of where the rip currents are so there is more awareness to bathers when visiting. The notices should be clear, educational and more in-depth and visual,’ he added.
Also read:
Look: NSRI shares footage of another successful Pink Buoy Rescue
Picture: NSRI / Facebook