Local heroes lauded

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - At the monthly Mossel Bay town council meeting on 31 March, five young lifeguards and a police officer were recognised for bravery.

The executive mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, thanked several brave Mossel Bay residents for their exceptional courage and community spirit.

On 23 November 2021, Warrant Officer Pierre Botha of the Da Gamaskop Police braved a river in flood to save the driver of a vehicle caught in the floodwater at a low-water bridge on the Geelbeksvlei Road near Brandwag.

The incident occurred after the driver of the vehicle, the late Heinz Kempe (78) attempted to cross the bridge. His vehicle was swept away by the strong current. Police arrived at the bridge shortly after 09:00 on 23 November and had to smash the window of Kempe's bakkie to pull him out. He was, however, already dead.

On 24 December 2021, five young men were exceptionally brave when they came to the rescue of the occupants of a capsized boat close to Hartenbos Beach.

The five lifeguards - Juan-Dré (JD) Nel, Herman Knoetze, André J Fourie, Dillan Roode and Tiaan Botha - responded immediately and without hesitation to assist and rescue the people.

Juan-Dré (JD) Nel, Herman Knoetze, André J Fourie, Dillan Roode and Tiaan Botha with Alderman Dirk Kotzé, who handed over their awards of recognition for bravery.