File photo
The National Sea Rescue Institute said two men, aged 19, and 65, were rescued on Sunday after being swept out to sea in rip currents between De Bakke Santos and Diaz Beach in Mossel Bay.
Spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said they were spotted by two NSRI crew who were off-duty and municipal lifeguards who had come on duty.
He said it appeared that the men were attending a baptism when they were caught in a rip current during an outgoing spring tide and were being swept out to sea.
Lambinon said the two NSRI rescue swimmers and two lifeguards reached the “casualties” about metres off-shore in the surf zone.
He said the lifeguards free-dived to recover the 19-year-old male who had disappeared under the water.
Both men were brought safely to shore where medical treatment commenced for non-fatal drowning symptoms.
Lambinon said the 63-year-old man required no further medical care, after being assessed by paramedics, while the teenager was taken to hospital in a stable condition for observation.
He said the NSRI commended the swift response to the emergency by Mossel Bay Municipality lifeguards, and by the NSRI rescue swimmers for saving two lives.
