NSRI volunteers managed to get a driver out of his sinking bakkie and to safety after his vehicle crashed off the Pier into Struisbaai harbour yesterday.
NSRI Agulhas volunteer duty crew and Emergency Services conducting a training exercise nearby at the time (at 2.43 pm) were activated following reports of a car plunging into the harbour, according to Reinhard Geldenhuys, NSRI Port Alfred station commander.
“The volunteers responded to the scene directly and our sea rescue craft I&J Rescuer II, which was busy with sea rescue exercises, responded. The SAP and Metro EMS also went to the scene,” Geldenhuys said.
“On arrival we found a Bantam bakkie in the water in the harbour. NSRI rescue swimmers jumped into the sea from the Pier and found a male in the sinking vehicle. NSRI rescue swimmers broke the windows and the man from Bredasdorp (about 50 years-old) was dragged out of the bakkie and brought ashore. He was loaded onto a stretcher and transported to hospital by Metro EMS in a stable condition.
“It appears the man was physically uninjured. Police are investigating the circumstances of the vehicle going over the Pier.
“Our NSRI volunteers recovered the vehicle from the water and it has been towed to the local police station,” Geldenhuys added.
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