(IMAGE IS FOR REPRESENTATIVE PURPOSES)
Emergency responders were kept busy along the Mossel Bay coastline on Friday evening, where a non-fatal drowning incident at Diaz Beach was followed earlier by a maritime assistance operation near the harbour.
Rescue teams were alerted after eyewitnesses raised the alarm about swimmers in distress at the popular beach, as reported by Mossel Bay Advertiser.
By the time emergency services arrived, two relatives, a 30-year-old woman from Kimberley and a 12-year-old boy from Bloemhof, had already been pulled from the water by bystanders.
Confirming the activation, NSRI Mossel Bay operations controller Andre Fraser said: ‘At 19:29pm, Friday, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Diaz Beach, Mossel Bay.’
NSRI rescue swimmers, the NSRI rescue vehicle, Western Cape Government Health EMS rescue squad and ambulance, and Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene.
On arrival, both patients were being assisted on the beach by members of the public and were showing symptoms consistent with non-fatal drowning.
NSRI medics provided immediate care and were joined by paramedics, before both patients were transported by EMS ambulance to hospital. The woman was reported to be in a serious but stable condition, while the boy was in a stable condition.
Rescue officials credited the outcome to the quick thinking of bystanders who intervened before emergency services arrived, noting that their actions played a critical role in saving lives.
Earlier the same afternoon, NSRI Mossel Bay crews had been activated to assist a local 9-metre catamaran experiencing mechanical steering failure close offshore near Mossel Bay Harbour. The vessel was already under tow by a private boat but required additional support to reach safety.
NSRI’s St Blaize Rescuer was launched and guided the vessel into the harbour, where it was secured at the floating jetty without incident.
No injuries were reported, and no further assistance was required.
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