Sixteen-year-old pupil from Port Alfred High School in the Eastern Cape, Jason Palmer, rescued three family members from drowning on Saturday.

Palmer was leaving the water from a surfing session when he noticed that two people were swept out to sea.

The teenage surfer jumped into the sea and used his surfboard to save the two siblings aged 12 and 19, who were caught in rip currents during the turn of the high tide.

The siblings’ mother aged 42 also plunged into the water to try assist.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) deputy station commander at Port Alfred, Gerrit Cloete, explained that Palmer loaded both casualties on his surfboard and paddled them towards the shore.

“Then in the surf zone, he (Palmer) also took the mom onboard his surfboard, and he managed to get all three of them safely ashore,” said Cloete.

The incident was posted on a social media site, where luckily an NSRI crew member’s friend saw the post online.

The friend raised the alarm and called the swimming organisation for assistance.

“NSRI rescue swimmers and the NSRI rescue vehicle responded to the scene, while NSRI Port Alfred crew responded to the NSRI Port Alfred station 11 rescue base, where they launched the NSRI rescue craft Rescue 11 Alpha. Gardmed Ambulance services were activated,” said Cloete.

Cloete said three casualties were safely returned on the beach upon arrival.

The family was assessed by paramedics, however, the mom was showing non-fatal drowning symptoms.

She was then taken to a local hospital for medical assistance, and discharged following medical treatment.

The remaining two casualties were not injured.

“Jason has been commended for his efforts that saved three lives. The NSRI has also commended the local friend of an NSRI Port Alfred volunteer, who had noticed the posting on social media, and who had immediately raised the alarm,” said Cloete.

The Star

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