Good Samaritan saves teen from drowning in Ballito ocean using pink buoy

A teenager was saved from rip currents in Ballito on Wednesday, 12 July, thanks in part to a pink buoy and a very kind Good Samaritan.

Four teens had been enjoying the surf on boards when it appears they were threatened by rip currents, according to the NSRI.

Three of the teenagers managed to get out of the water, but a 16-year-old girl from Hillcrest was caught up in the rip currents. A 16-year-old male who went to her assistance got caught in the rip currents as well.

The girl’s father and his brother jumped in the surf to help, while an anonymous Good Samaritan also jumped in the water… with the NSRI pink rescue buoy that is stationed at the beach by Emberton Way in Ballito.

“The brother was able to assist the male from the water, while the unidentified Good Samaritan assisted the female from the water using the NSRI pink rescue buoy,” said Mike Bishop, NSRI Ballito station commander.

“The father was also able to assist to bring them out of the water.”

The NSRI said by the time they got to the scene, the 16-year-olds were safely out of the water and being attended to by paramedics.

“They were released into the care of the father of the girl, he is doctor,” said Bishop.

The incident took place after 17h00 in front of Emberton Way. NSRI Ballito rescue swimmers and IPSS Medical Rescue responded to the reports of the drowning in progress.

NSRI commend the rescue efforts of both of the teenagers.

“This brings the number of people that we know of who have been rescued with the help of a Pink Buoy to 152. All in water rescues have been successful and no harm has come to any of the rescuers who have used a Pink Buoy to help someone in danger of drowning,” said Bishop.

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