Fisherman rescues teenager from drowning by reeling him in

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has commended a fisherman who saved a teenager from drowning in the Kabeljous river mouth in Jeffreys Bay on Thursday, the Day of Goodwill, by casting his fishing line towards him and then reeling him in.

The teenager was one of a group of three teenagers who were caught in a rip current on the popular beach in Jeffreys Bay.

One of the teens drowned. One managed to swim out of the rip current and to safety, and the third child was rescued by an unlikely hero.

Kristo Kritzinger from the NSRI in Jeffreys Bay said the fisherman had cast his fishing line at the 13-year-old boy who was caught in a rip current. 

“The teenager was able to wrap the fishing line around his wrist before being reeled to shore by the fisherman,” Kritzinger said. 

Paramedics who’d been called to the scene rushed the boy to hospital. 

According to Kritzinger, the three teenagers were wading in the shallow surf during an incoming tide when they were caught in rip currents and swept out to sea. Eyewitnesses raised the alarm just after 10am. 

“NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Kabeljous river mouth. Two NSRI rescue craft were launched, NSRI rescue swimmers, our NSRI rescue vehicle, Relay EMS ambulance services and Kouga Law Enforcement responded,” he said. 

When the NSRI arrived on the scene they found the 13-year-old boy who was rescued by the fisherman. A second teenager managed to swim to shore by himself and was not injured, Kritzinger confirmed. 

Unfortunately, the third – who was 19 years old – disappeared in the surf zone.

“During a search the teenager was spotted in the water where NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the water to free swim towards the teenager, and an NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed from an NSRI rescue craft. Together the rescue swimmers recovered the teenager, who was unresponsive, to shore where he was sadly declared dead by paramedics and a doctor,” Kritzinger said. 

He said the police were called and the deceased teenager’s body was taken to Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services. An inquest docket has been opened by the police. 

Daily Maverick has attempted to contact the fisherman. The Kouga Municipality, under which Jeffreys Bay falls, confirmed the names of those involved have not been released. Municipality spokesperson Monique Basson said lifeguards were on duty at the time of the drowning. 

Read more: Sun, sand and safety — essential guidelines for enjoying South Africa’s beaches this summer

On Wednesday, 18 December, another swimmer in distress was rescued by a quick-thinking fisherman in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. 

According to the NSRI, the “quick thinking and skill of a local angler”, who was fishing along the shoreline at Diaz Beach, saved a 31-year-old woman caught in a rip current. 

The NSRI said the woman, from George, was caught in the rip tide during the Spring low tide while she was taking a late-night dip. Fishermen saw what was happening and one cast his fishing line, which had a kabeljou hook attached, towards the woman. The hook snagged her jeans, and the fisherman was able to reel her in towards the beach. Once she reached waist-deep water, another fisherman waded into the water and helped her onto the beach. 

“The local fisherman is commended for his effort that contributed to saving the lady’s life,” the NSRI said. 

Read more: Lifesaving initiatives: how pink rescue buoys are transforming drowning prevention along South African shores

On Christmas Day on Wednesday, the NSRI confirmed two drownings in Gqeberha – a 53-year-old fisherman and a young boy. 

A police docket has also been opened in Cape Town after a 36-year-old man jumped off the rocks at Jager’s Walk near Fish Hoek beach on Christmas Day, Radio786 reported. The NSRI said despite efforts to revive the man with CPR, he was declared dead. 

“Police have opened an inquest docket. Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man,” the NSRI said. 

On Monday, 23 December, two girls, aged 12 and 13, were airlifted to hospital after they were found unresponsive in a tidal pool in Camps Bay, EyeWitness News reported. The 13-year-old girl died of her injuries, while the 12-year-old is still recovering in hospital. DM