The remarkable quick thinking and skills of a local angler saved the life of a woman caught in a rip current during a midnight swim at Dias Beach, Mossel Bay. As she struggled, the angler cast his rod with a fishing line and a Kabeljou hook in her direction, hooking her jeans and reeling her safely to shore.
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, “At 00:57 on Wednesday, December 18, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Tri Towers, Dias Beach, Mossel Bay. NSRI Mossel Bay rescue swimmers, the South African Police Services, Frontier Medix ambulance services, Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services, and Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services responded.”
Upon arrival, they found a 31-year-old woman safely on the beach. She was treated on-site for symptoms of non-fatal drowning by paramedics and, after receiving medical attention, required no further assistance.
Noticing her distress, a nearby fisherman quickly cast his fishing line in her direction, managing to catch hold of her jeans with a Kabeljou fishhook. The hook latched onto her jeans, allowing the fisherman to carefully reel her closer to shore. Once she was in waist-deep water, another local fisherman entered the surf to assist her onto the beach just as the NSRI and emergency services arrived at the scene.
The local fisherman was commended for his effort, which contributed to saving the lady’s life.
