Fisherman washed out to sea

2011-12-22 12:00

Cape Town - A 40-year-old fisherman has survived after being swept off rocks into a large swell at Jongensfontein in the Western Cape on Wednesday evening.

National Sea Rescue Institute station commander Enrico Menezies said on Thursday that a fellow angler had tried to throw a line to Carel van der Merwe as he was being washed out to sea around 18:30.

"When our sea rescue vehicle arrived on-scene Carel could be seen about 100m off-shore being pounded by the huge breaking surf," Menezies said.

NSRI rescue swimmer Jean du Plessis swam out from the beach using a rip current to reach Van der Merwe.

Du Plessis tried to swim with Van der Merwe towards the shore.

"But Carel is a big chap and efforts were further hampered by the large breaking waves," Menezies said.

Another rescue swimmer, CJ Joubert, then used the same rip-current to reach the two men.

The two men used breaking waves to bring Van der Merwe ashore.

"Carel was in a serious condition and it was evident he had breathed in a lot of water so without hesitation we rushed him to our local doctor who treated him for near drowning symptoms, shock, exhaustion and breathing difficulties," Menezies said.

- SAPA