A Potchefstroom student, Jaco du Plessis, fearlessly swam out to reach a struggling woman who had been caught in rip currents in Die Poort. He guided her towards the rocky shoreline and courageously saved her life.
Mossel Bay, South Africa (17 January 2025) – A 52-year-old woman visiting Mossel Bay found herself in a terrifying situation when she was swept out to sea by strong currents at Die Poort across the shoreline towards The Point.
Eyewitnesses raced to a nearby restaurant, pleading with staff and patrons to raise the alarm. It wasn’t long before the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Mossel Bay duty crew was activated following multiple calls from bystanders reporting a drowning in progress offshore at Die Poort, Mossel Bay, on Thursday afternoon, 16 January.
NSRI crew and rescue swimmers, various emergency services and the police responded to the scene, where a group of Potchefstroom students overheard the commotion and immediately offered their assistance by springing into action.
Running down to the shoreline, searching for the lady in distress, Jaco du Plessis launched into the water, swimming towards the lady while his friends kept a close eye on their location, following along the shoreline.
Jaco reached the lady as she approached the rocky shoreline near The Point. He guided her to the rocks and assisted her onto them once they reached the shoreline.
“By that stage, NSRI rescue swimmers were arriving on the scene where they joined Jaco’s friends who were on the rocks where the two were coming ashore. Together they assisted the lady and Jaco to get safely up onto the rocks,” explained Andre Fraser, NSRI Mossel Bay coxswain.
“Once they were on the rocks together they assisted the lady to get to a safer area where more emergency services were arriving on the scene.”
Fraser confirmed that the casualty female was taken into the care of paramedics. Following medical treatment at the scene, she was transported to the hospital in a serious but stable condition, where she was treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms before being discharged into the care of her friend.
NSRI praises Jaco and his friends for their efforts, which contributed to saving the life of the lady.
Sources: National Sea Rescue Institute
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