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East London: Mass Rescue Operation

Catherine Prentis, NSRI East London station commander, said: At 18h05 on 10 January, NSRI East London duty crew were activated following reports from BCM (Buffalo City Municipal) lifeguards engaged in a mass rescue operation at Bonza Bay Beach, Beacon Bay, East London.

The NSRI rescue craft Spirit of DHL was launched while NSRI rescue swimmers responded in our NSRI rescue vehicle and joined BCM lifeguards, The SA Police Services, Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) and Aldersons ambulance services on the scene together with EC Government Health EMS.

2 BCM lifeguards, using a Malibu rescue board and a torpedo rescue buoy, had successfully rescued 8 persons, males and females, children and adults, from the water.

Extensive CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were conducted by paramedics and lifeguards on a (believed to be) 6 year old child. The patient has been transported to hospital by Aldersons ambulance in a critical condition with resuscitation efforts continuing.

An off duty EMS paramedic, who happened to be at the area, and one of the lifeguards, initiated resuscitation efforts on the child, that the lifeguards had rescued from the surf zone.
While resuscitation efforts were underway on the child, the second lifeguard continued to rescue persons from the water in relays of at least 2 at a time, with the assistance of the Malibu rescue board.

A patient has been transported to hospital by Aldersons ambulance in a stable condition for further care.

The remaining 6 survivors were evaluated by paramedics and lifeguards and they are reported to be stable and in care.

It appears that all of the casualties are accounted for.

With all casualties reportedly accounted for – as a precaution – NSRI rescue swimmers entered the water to free dive search and conduct wading sweeping line search efforts, in the surf line, together with our rescue craft that searched within the surf zone, the backline and beyond – as a precaution.

It remains unconfirmed the causes – it appears that the casualties may have been caught in rip currents suddenly – Police are investigating.

All thoughts are with those affected.

Further information is not immediately available.

All services remain on high alert.

The BCM lifeguards are commended for their efforts and details may follow.

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