Bevan Geyser, NSRI Bakoven station commander, said: At 07h46, Sunday, 5 April, NSRI Bakoven duty crew and CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network were activated following an eyewitness reporting, to NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), a drowning in progress at Clifton 2nd Beach.
NSRI Bakoven crew responded to the NSRI Bakoven station 2 rescue base to prepare to launch rescue craft.
An NSRI Bakoven crewman, Clifton Surf Lifesaving lifeguards, CoCT lifeguards, CSO (Community Security Organisation) paramedics, the SA Police Services, CoCT Law Enforcement, Clifton CID (City Improvement District) security officers and WC Government Health EMS responded.
While responding to the scene an eyewitness reported that a female surfer had launched her surfboard to go to the man’s aid.
On arrival on the scene our NSRI crewman found the surfer bringing the man to shore on her surfboard and local community members were assisting the man as she brought him ashore.
A doctor, who happened to be at the beach, was assisting with medical treatment and was joined by CSO paramedics.
The man, age 23, from Angola, was medically stabilised on the beach.
Paramedics, Law Enforcement officers and lifeguards, assisted to carry the man up the Clifton stairs and he was transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition.
The man is expected to make a full recovery.
The Good Samaritan surfer, who has not been identified, is commended for rescuing the man from the water – saving his life.
It appears that he had gone for a swim when he got into difficulties in the water.
The eyewitness that raised the alarm, the doctor that assisted, and the swift response by all involved is commended.
