A Cape Town teenager’s life was saved by two good samaritans after she was swept out to sea in a rip current at Rocklands Beach, Sea Point on Saturday, November 6.
According to a statement by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI ), a bystander was cycling with her children in Sea Point, when she noticed a commotion at Rocklands Beach where she then saw a young girl being swept out to sea.
“Someone had thrown the NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy, from its pole stationed at Three Anchor Bay to the girl and the buoy was washing towards the girl in the same rip current,” the statement said.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said rescue coordinator, Kerry Feldman then alerted the NSRI, however, two men, 33-year-old Somerset West resident Duane Povey and a man only identified as Matt, assessed the situation and decided to assist. As the buoy reached the girl, both men entered the water.
“Duane and Matt reached the girl about 30 to 40 meters off-shore and they assisted her to get a better grip on the pink rescue buoy and between them they swam the girl safely to shore,” Lambinon said.
The girl was not injured and she was returned to the care of her family members.
Lambinon went on to say that Duane has told the NSRI that although he is not a strong swimmer, he committed to entering the water because the pink rescue buoy had already reached the girl, giving him, and he believes Matt also, the confidence to enter the water because the floatation object was already in play.

Meanwhile, NSRI’s drowning prevention manager, Andrew Ingram added that this is the 80th life saved with the contribution of an NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy since the inception of the NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy program which was initiated in 2017.
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