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Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Paddle Skier rescued at sea recovering in hospital

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Stephen van den Berg, NSRI Gqeberha duty coxswain, said: At 07h08, Thursday 2 November, NSRI Gqeberha duty crew and the NMB (Nelson Mandela Bay) water rescue network were activated and responded to Schoenmakerskop where a paddler on a paddle-ski was reported by eye witnesses to be in difficulty.

While responding to the scene it was reported that the paddler had lost his paddle-ski while paddling. He was in the water caught in rip currents.

The NSRI rescue craft Eddie Beaumont II was launched from the NSRI Gqeberha satellite Noordhoek rescue station.

On NSRI rescue swimmers arriving on the scene we found a paddler on a surf-ski had gone to the man’s aid

The casualty man was clinging onto the back of that surf-ski where they both remained in grave danger well off-shore behind the breaker line.

Gardmed ambulance services were activated.

The NSRI rescue craft was directed to the scene by rescue swimmers on the shore.

On reaching them the local man, age 74, was rescued onto our NSRI rescue craft where medical treatment for severe hypothermia and exhaustion was commenced.

The man who assisted with his surf-ski was guided towards the shore by our NSRI shore crew. He came ashore safely without incident and he was not injured. He is commended for contributing to saving the casualty man’s life.

The patient was brought to Noordhoek ski-boat club onboard our rescue craft and taken into the care of Gardmed paramedics who continued with urgent medical care.

The man was in a critical condition and being treated with rewarming medical treatment.

The man’s concerned wife arrived on the scene to lend support.

Once stabilised the patient was transported to hospital in the Gardmed ambulance where he is recovering in the care of hospital staff.

The swift response by all involved is commended.

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