Port Alfred: Man and Lady Rescued From the Surf

Chris Pike, NSRI Port Alfred station commander, said:

At 09h00, Friday, 11 April, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at East Beach, Port Alfred.

NSRI crew were at the NSRI Port Alfred station 11 rescue base at the time conducting routine maintenance – the NSRI rescue craft Rescue 11 Alpha was immediately launched while NSRI rescue swimmers and our NSRI rescue vehicle responded directly to East Beach.

On arrival on the scene a man and a lady were found in the surf zone together caught in rip currents and being swept out to sea.

At 09h07 both were rescued onto the rescue craft and they were brought to the shore where they were medically assessed by NSRI medics. They were not injured and they required no further assistance.

The 2 casualties are from a local club, the Kowie Granny Grommets, an initiative we believe that was started in East London and now also active in Port Alfred that enjoy surf activities.

The lady, age 60, had launched earlier at East Beach with a body board when she was caught in rip currents while body boarding. A 67 year old male launched into the water to go to her assistance. Both were caught in rip currents when eyewitnesses raised the alarm.

NSRI attended at the group of Kowie Granny Grommets, at least 50 locals at the beach, where NSRI showed them the rip currents that prevail at that part of East Beach. They then moved about 50 meters down the beach – where rip currents are not as prevalent – and they continued their surf activities at the safer swimming area.

NSRI commend the eyewitnesse, who is one of the group of Kowie Granny Grommets, who raised the alarm, and the swift response is commended – both efforts contributed to the 2 lives being saved.