www.MyPE.co.za: One of Summerstrand Surf Lifesaving Clubs newest members, 16 year old Patrick Abraham, is the clubs latest hero after rescuing and resuscitating a man who had drowned off Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth, late on New Years Day.
The young hero, who starts grade 10 at Victoria Park High later this month, only passed his senior Surf Lifesaving Award two weeks ago, and he had just completed his fourth voluntary duty for the club on New Years Day.
The voluntary club patrols Pollok Beach on weekends and public holidays and peak season duties start at 8am and end at 6pm, but the members stayed on and only signed off at 6.20pm after the Beach Office had consented that they could leave as there were only a handful of bathers still in the water.
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“I was locking up at 6.30pm, and was the last to leave. As I walked towards the car-park, I saw a man suddenly appear to be in distress alongside Pollok rock. I dropped my gear and ran down and swam out to him. The waves were big and the strong easterly wind had created a strong rip current, that had pulled the man out past the rocks. I swam hard and got to him quite quickly. He was floating face down and was not breathing. I pulled him about 20 metres towards the rocks and as soon as I got onto the rocks, I started mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and compressions, just as I had been taught by the Summerstrand instructors. Waves were breaking over us and two fishermen helped me to get the man over the rocks and onto the sand. I started CPR again and after about two minutes he started to cough and vomited. I rolled him into the recovery position and monitored his breathing. The medics arrived soon afterwards and I helped them to load the 30plus black man into the Ambulance. He was breathing, and I am just glad that I was able to save his life” said the proud young man, who lacerated his legs on the sharp rocks during the dramatic rescue.
Summerstrand Club president, Brian Saunders, praised the young hero, saying that the duty squad had spent most of the day moving bathers away from the dangerous currents near Pollok rock, but as soon as the squad had left the area, bathers always returned to the spot next to the rocks, as it was closest to the parking area. ” The easterly wind churns up the surf and the rip current always moves from in front of the clubhouse, northwards, and out past the rocks. It is probably the most dangerous area along the southern beachfront, and many people have drowned here over the years, outside of duty hours, as bathers do not know how dangerous it can be. We need to get the municipality to erect big signs in this area. Fortunately Patrick saw this man getting into trouble, and he reacted immediately”, said Saunders, who assists with instructing the clubs new recruits.
Ward 1 Councillor and Summerstrand member, Stanford Slabbert, also praised the young hero, saying “Bathers have to be aware of the strong currents that occur when the easterly winds blow, and it is only through the swift actions of Patrick that this man is recovering in hospital. Had Patrick not seen him drowning, he would have disappeared under the surf and it would have been a body recovery exercise. The squad had signed off, and this man entered the water alongside the rocks, which is about 300metres from where the usual bathing area is placed. Ideally, beaches should be closed when the lifesavers go off duty, especially at this time of the year, when out-of town visitors, who have no clue about rip currents, swim at anytime and anywhere. It was early evening and the voluntary members had worked hard throughout the day, ensuring the safety of all. One drowning is too many, so Patrick must be commended on rescuing this bather, and this incident once again highlights the value and importance of our voluntary surf lifesaving clubs – they form an invaluable and vital aspect of our tourism product”.
The victim, known only as Vhukazi, was reported to be in a stable condition at Livingstone Hospitals ICU unit this afternoon.
Alan Straton
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