MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A day at the beach nearly turned tragic on Sunday afternoon, 15 June, when two young girls got into difficulty in the surf at Diaz Beach in Mossel Bay.

Thanks to the swift actions of emergency services and a courageous bystander, both children were rescued from the water and are now safe.

Brian Cloete, duty controller for NSRI Mossel Bay, confirmed the team was activated at 13:57 following eyewitness reports of a possible drowning in progress.

“It was reported that two children appeared to be struggling in the water and might have been caught in rip currents,” said Cloete.

When the rescuers arrived, a man later identified as Nicolas Vermeulen from Vredefort was already in the surf, assisting a six-year-old girl from the water. Fire and Rescue Services officers helped him to bring the child ashore.

Her nine-year-old friend was also assisted out of the surf by emergency services.

The six-year-old was treated on the scene for non-fatal drowning symptoms before being transported to hospital in stable condition, accompanied by her friend.

Both girls were kept in hospital overnight for observation and discharged yesterday.

Vermeulen has been praised for his quick thinking and bravery. “His efforts contributed to saving the girls’ lives,” said Cloete. 

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