Fisherman rescues man out at sea without a paddle

26 March 2016 - 17:21 By TMG Digital

A fisherman rescued a sea-kayaker who was being swept out to sea after losing his paddle‚ the NSRI said on Saturday. Simone Bekker launched his boat from Eerste River‚ in the Eastern Cape‚ and brought 44-year-old Dewald Viviers ashore."A doctor‚ Jacques de la Harpe‚ happened to be on the scene when (Viviers) was brought ashore and he medically checked the casualty who was found to be mildly hypothermic and suffering some sea sickness. Following brief medical treatment he required no further assistance‚" the NSRI said.Viviers‚ who was on holiday in Eerste River‚ had lost his paddle on Friday and strong off-shore winds swept him out to sea.Meanwhile‚ a 44-year-old man disappeared on Saturday at Eastern Beach‚ East London‚ after being seen struggling in the surf line."Despite an extensive search‚ no sign of the man has been found and a police dive unit will continue with an ongoing search operation‚" the NSRI said.It is suspected that the man may have been caught in strong rip-currents.TMG Digital/The Times..

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