Three swimmers were pulled from the surf at Strand Beach on Friday evening (31 January), after being caught in dangerous rip currents.
The dramatic rescue unfolded near the Topaz building, thanks to the quick action of bystanders and a former lifeguard.
Mila Watson, an eyewitness and rescuer, recounted the events: “I received a call from a nipper mum about a male swimmer in trouble far out in the water at 19:10,” she related.
Another nipper parent, Mark Pedersen, grabbed a torpedo buoy and bravely entered the water to assist. He quickly realised the situation was more serious, as there was not one, but two swimmers struggling against the strong currents – a man and a woman, both in their early 20s.
As Pedersen worked to bring the first two swimmers to safety, a third person attempted to help, but also became trapped in the treacherous water. “I arrived at the scene and heard someone calling for help,” Watson continued. “It was the third swimmer who had tried to assist the others.”
Watson entered the water, and a surf-ski paddler arrived with a Malibu board. Together, they were able to bring the third swimmer back to shore.
They returned to rescue the original two swimmers, successfully bringing all three to safety.
Pedersen, who slightly injured his neck during the daring rescue, highlighted the importance of community involvement in lifesaving.
“That makes lifesaving so fantastic; it has a humanitarian element. We train with kids, and we live it,” he said. “It was a team effort. It’s important to get involved in a lifesaving club for this very reason – it could save a life or three.”
Paramedics were on the scene to assess the rescued individuals. One male patient was transported to a hospital for further evaluation.
Watson, who recently served as a senior lifeguard and has been a member of the local lifesaving club for 10 years, emphasised the dangerous conditions at Strand Beach. “We are very lucky,” she said. “It’s a dangerous beach to swim. Rip tides were responsible for this incident. I was fortunate to be fetching my boyfriend at the lifesaving club when the call came in, so I was close by.”
One of the rescued swimmers said he is still traumatised by the events of the day, adding that it all happened quickly. “I admit that I was unaware of what exactly a rip tide is. We’re from Kuils River and visited for the day,” he said.
“We were enjoying ourselves until the water just pulled us away. A lot of things go through your mind when you’re close to death, and I am so grateful for the rescue and that I am still alive.
“The best advice I was given after the incident is to always swim close to people, so that if you are ever in trouble they can sound the alarm. Many people don’t do due diligence when it comes to noticing and identifying a rip tide, and flags are not always noticeable.”
