EASTERN CAPE - SURFER RESCUED AFTER BEING CAUGHT IN RIP CURRENTS OFF ST FRANCIS BAY

Sara Jane Smith, NSRI St Francis Bay station commander, said:

At 16h03 on Thursday the 27th of June NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress near the popular surf spot Granny’s Pool.

Our Sea Rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II was launched and our NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the scene where a 22 year old Cape Town surfer was caught in rip currents. It appears that her hair had been caught in the surfboard leash causing her to be dragged under water and then, on surfacing she was swept out to sea in a rip current.

On arrival on the scene we found the casualty in severe distress.  Our crew on board our Sea Rescue craft negotiated 4 meter swells and breaking waves to reach her. We quickly rescued her onto the Sea Rescue craft and took her safely to shore.

She was assessed for non-fatal drowning symptoms and did not require immediate medical attention.

We commend our St Francis Bay coast watchers and the eye-witnesses who called in the emergency.

via - NSRI