Three Good Samaritans are being hailed heroes for helping a father and his toddler after a wave hit the Kalk Bay Harbour and swept the pair away.
Kalk Bay, South Africa (19 February 2024) – A family visiting Kalk Bay Harbour over the weekend were helped by three Good Samaritans after a large wave broke the harbour wall and pulled a father and toddler into the ocean.
Darren Zimmerman an operations controlled from the NSRI Simonstown team, shared that the incident took place over the weekend, on the 17th of February. He shared that the NSRI Simonstown duty crew were alerted to eyewitness reports of a child washed into the harbour by a wave at Kalk Bay harbour.
According to witnesses, a wave unexpectedly breached over the outer harbour pier and swept a toddler, in his stroller alongside his dad, into the water together while also sweeping some of the other pier pedestrians off their feet.
“2 Good Samaritans, a local man who was with his family on the pier and a local man who works at Kalk Bay harbour, leapt into the water to assist.
The toddler, who had earlier just been unstrapped in the stroller, was kept afloat by his dad while the Good Samaritans reached them. The toddler was rescued from the water by the Good Samaritans who then assisted the dad from the water.
The stroller and some other belongings were recovered from the water by a third Good Samaritan, who also works at the harbour had also jumped in to assist.
Our NSRI Kommetjie station commander, in the area at the time on his private boat, responded to Kalk Bay harbour and docked his boat to go and check on the casualties.” – Darren Zimmerman
The NSRI was then notified that everyone was safe, but that medical assistance was needed.
“On arrival on the scene CMR paramedics initiated medical treatment to the child and to the dad. Both, in stable conditions, were transported to hospital by CMR ambulance for further care and for observation for non-fatal drowning symptoms. The dad remains in hospital for observation in the care of doctors and nurses.
The family are from Muizenberg and they regularly visit Kalk Bay.”
The two men who entered the water played a major role in saving the family; however, one unsung hero was also present. A woman had removed her warm jersey and wrapped the toddler in it, staving off the cold he was experiencing.
“We commend the Good Samaritans and all of the bystanders and family members who were involved in helping for their quick thinking to rescue the toddler and to assist the dad from the water.
The dad is commended for keeping his son’s head above water before the Good Samaritans reached them.
We commend a local lady who assisted to provide a warm jersey to the toddler.”
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