PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Swift action by the NSRI Plett team saved the life of a German man found on the beach after swimming this weekend.

Robbie Gibson, NSRI Plettenberg Bay deputy station commander, said: “At 13:11, Saturday, 20 January, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Free Runner, Airlink Rescuer and Ray Farnham following reports of a drowning in progress at Milkwood Glen, Keurbooms Beach.”

NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene, said Gibson.

On arrival on the scene a 63-year-old German man was found on the beach and was treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms by NSRI medics and then he was transported to hospital by a Medlife ambulance.

“He was in a serious, but stable condition, and he is currently under observation for secondary drowning in hospital and expected to fully recover,” said the NSRI.

It appears that the man got into difficulty in the surf before being rescued by a fellow German man.

His wife accompanied him to hospital.

Sea Rescue is the charity that saves lives on South African waters.
NSRI is manned by 1 000 volunteers at 31 bases around the coast and on five inland dams.

Donations, bequests and sponsorships cover the annual running cost of R84 million.

The volunteers save us a salary bill in excess of R350m per annum.

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