Edited by Bev Mortimer: Two men trapped on a tree-island in the middle of the Gamtoos River, near Patensie in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, were rescued by NSRI Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay volunteers.
The two stranded men a were apparently trapped for several hours after being swept downstream while attempting to cross the river. They had managed to reach a tree and debris pile ‘island’, where they remained trapped until rescued.
The NSRI volunteers described the operation as challenging owing to the strong river flows and hazardous flood conditions. Just before 1pm on on 14 May, NSRI Station 37 Jeffreys Bay were activated to respond and rescue two men trapped on an island formed by debris and a fallen tree.
A farmer at Ventsterhoek Farm located the two men stranded on a large, downed tree surrounded by flood debris in the middle of the river. The two men stranded on a large downed tree in the middle of the river, surrounded by flood debris and fast flowing water on both sides.
The farmer alerted two NSRI St Francis Bay volunteer members who work in the area, who investigated and went to Patensie village, the nearest place with a signal, and activated NSRI Jeffreys Bay, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and additional emergency services.
NSRI St Francis Bay already ghad positioned their rescue craft, Rescue 21 Charlie, in Patensie earlier in the week to prepare for storm operations before the recent severe weather conditions. NSRI JBay rescue crews responded from the NSRI Station 37 rescue base, deploying rescue swimmers, a JetRIB and a CROC rescue craft (a small flat canoe) designed for swift-water rescue operations.
Local farmers, SMHART Security and the SAPS also responded and assisted at the scene. NSRI JBay crew joined NSRI SFB crew in Patensie before going to the river with rescue equipment and rescue craft. Rescuers assessed the situation and decided the safest approach was from upstream owing to the strength of the river current.
The CROC was launched upstream and tethered to shore using a mainline rope. Rescue swimmers then navigated the craft downstream through the fast-flowing water to reach the stranded men on the ‘tree island’ . When alongside the tree, rescuers secured the two men in life jackets and protective rescue gear, while reassuring them.
The rescue craft Rescue 21 Charlie was launched and the first man was safely transported across the river. The second man was ferried to safety aboard the rescue CROC, accompanied by NSRI rescue swimmers.
Despite the difficult circumstances both men were brought safely ashore by the NSRI rescue volunteers without injury and required no further medical assistance
NSRI H/O commended farmers, Retief and Janlo Ferreira, the SAPS, SMHART Security, and the co-ordinated efforts between NSRI SFB and NSRI JBay for their assistance during the operation.
St Francis Chronicle 