MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A young boy was pulled to safety from the waves by lifeguards at Santos Beach on Friday, 2 January.

According to Jayden van Rooyen of Lifesaving Medical Rescue Services and Training Pty Ltd, the squad leader of the lifeguards, the incident took place at about 10:00.

Van Rooyen said the team noticed the boy struggling in the surf, and that it looked like he was in pain. They immediately sawm out to him to help.

He said Wilber Safier was the first lifeguard to reach him. The boy told Safier that he was experiencing intense pain around his upper back.

Safier quickly assessed the situation and signalled for a spinal board, suspecting a possible serious injury.

Working together, the rest of the team, Brian Briesies, Clay Williams, Ebenezer van Rooyen, Joy Moses, Kyle Dickson, and Jacquin Jacobs, carefully assisted in stabilising the boy and securing him onto the spinal board.

Van Rooyen said that throughout the rescue the lifeguards remained aware of the activity around them at Santos, ensuring that other swimmers stayed safe as well.

He said the boy was carefully taken to the beach's medical room, where he was kept comfortable while an ambulance was called.

Paramedics later took over his care for further medical assessment.

He said it was later determined that the injury occurred when another beachgoer accidentally ran into the boy while he was catching a wave.

"The incident served as a clear example of how attentiveness, teamwork, and training can make a critical difference. Thanks to the lifeguards’ watchful eyes and fast action, the young boy received immediate care when he needed it most," said Van Rooyen.

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