Nicky Whitehead, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said: At 14h36, Tuesday, 7 April, NSRI Strandfontein duty crew were alerted following reports, from a local lifeguard to an NSRI Strandfontein duty controller, of a suspected drowning in progress at Monwabisi.
As a precaution NSRI Strandfontein duty crew and the CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network were activated.
An NSRI Strandfontein rescue swimmer, CoCT Law Enforcement Marine Unit, local shark spotters, WC Government Health EMS and Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services responded.
Local shark spotters confirmed that there was indeed an active drowning in progress in the surf zone at Monwabisi.
On arrival on the scene a CoCT Law Enforcement Marine Unit officer entered the water to go to the aid of a man in distress in the surf zone.
The Law Enforcement Marine Unit officer reached the man and was able to rescue him to the shoreline where he was assisted by a shark spotter to get the man out of the water and onto the beach.
At that stage our NSRI crewman arrived on the scene and together they commenced medical treatment on the 23 year old male, from Khayelitsha.
Metro EMS and Fire and Rescue services paramedics arrived on the scene and assisted with medical treatment to the patient suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms.
The man was stabilised on the scene before being transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition.
It appears that the man may have been caught in rip currents while swwimming.
NSRI commend the swift response of all involved and we commend the Law Enforcement Marine Unit officer for his efforts that saved the man’s life and the assistance of the shark spotters.
