Edited by Bev Mortimer: A young man swept out to sea yesterday morning at Cape St Francis beach was saved by quick thinking and action by NSRI St Francis Bay coxswain and his friends fishing nearby on their boat.
Sara Smith, NSRI St Francis Bay station commander, said St Francis Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Cape St Francis, between the Main CSF Beach and the Cape St Francis Resort just after 8 am..
A CSF local, Morgan Lindsay, 21, from Cape St Francis, reported he and friend, Yannis Coetzer, also 21, from Humandorp, were swept out to sea while they were swimming together.
Morgan assisted Yannis offshore beyond the breakers when the pair were caught in rip currents. decided to retreat to the shoreline to seek help but Yannis was apparently too tired to follow Morgan.
Fortunately for Yannis, local NSRI coxswain, Louis Fouche, was at sea fishing with his friends, Barry Culligan and John Lagaay, on Barry’s boat AVRIKITI. They were about 2 nautical miles from Yannis when the emergency call came in. They responded on AVRIKITI and after a brief search, they located Yannis in the water at the backline breakers.
They rescued him onto their boat safely. He was found to be tired, dehydrated and showing signs of non-fatal drowning symptoms.
Meanwhile Morgan reached the shore and located friends of his parents on the beach. He used their phone to call NSRI to raise the alarm.
At that stage Yannis appeared to be missing offshore.
NSRI duty crew responded to NSRI St Francis Bay station 21 rescue base to prepare to launch an NSRI rescue craft and NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene. Priority Care ambulance was activated.
Yannis told his Good Samaritan rescuers that he had been in the water for about an hour. He made all efforts to stay afloat while at the mercy of sea currents that were gradually sweeping him towards the shoreline. He was unable to follow Morgan to the shore. He praised his friend for going to get help.
Medical treatment was commenced on AVRIKITI while they the boat was brought to the NSRI rescue station. There Yannis was medically assessed by paramedics before being discharged. Requiring no further assistance he was free to depart but was advised to be on alert for further non-fatal drowning symptoms.
Later, the two young men returned to the NSRI St Francis Bay rescue station to thank all involved for their contribution in saving Yannis’ life.
NSRI commended Morgan for his efforts that played a crucial role in saving his friend’s life.
NSRI commended skipper Barry Culligan and his crew, Louis Fouche and and John Lagaay, on AVRIKITI, for their efforts in saving the life of Yannis.
