Emergency crews launched a rescue on Sunday when a mass drowning scare unfolded at Kleinmond Main Beach, with nine people pulled from rip currents during a 13th birthday celebration, reports Cape {town} Etc.
NSRI Kleinmond duty crews activated at about 3pm and found swimmers widely scattered beyond the surf zone.
According to The South African rescue swimmers, assisted by two Good Samaritans, deployed five pink rescue buoys and launched a JetRIB craft to reach casualties and bring them ashore. Paramedics assessed the group. Some showed signs of non-fatal drowning. All were stabilised and released to family.
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Station commander Schalk Boonzaaier praised rescuers and bystanders, saying: ‘The swift response of our rescue swimmers and the assistance of the two Good Samaritans were critical in preventing loss of life.’
The call followed two other incidents at Kleinmond earlier that day involving tourists and an additional near-drowning.
The NSRI urged beachgoers to swim only in designated safe zones and to familiarise themselves with rip current safety, noting rip currents are ‘extremely dangerous’ and difficult to spot.
No fatalities were reported in any of Sunday’s incidents.
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