The following NSRI report proves that, sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction…
SHORTLY before 7pm on Thursday February 18, NSRI Wilderness, the SAPS, Metro Ambulance and Rescue Services were activated following reports of a female being swept out to sea at Klein Krans, near Wilderness.
NSRI Wilderness duty coxswain, Torsten Henschell, said that on arrival on-scene a female was found to already be safe on the beach after being rescued by the joint efforts of off-duty Correctional Services Inspector Jacque Snyman, and off-duty Police Inspector Jacque Starbuck - two friends who were angling on the nearby beach at the time. “The lady was assessed by paramedics on the scene but required no further assistance or medical attention,” said Torsten.
The ordeal began when Klein Krans resident Sunyata Choyce - a Canadian now living in South Africa and who runs the children’s aid NGO, Project Colors – enjoyed an early evening swim with friends. When she was suddenly and unexpectedly caught in an extremely strong rip-current, Sunyata found herself being swept out to sea. Her friends all made it safely out of the water unharmed.
The off-duty Inspectors noticed Sunyata in peril and Jacque Snyman cast the line on his fishing rod in her direction. The sinker went over Sunyata’s head and she managed to grab onto the fishing line, holding onto the line while Jacque gently reeled her in towards the beach.
Fearful that the 12kg fishing line might break, Jacque said he “reeled Sunyata in as if I had a large fish on the end of my line”.
Once in shallow water, the two Inspectors and Sunyata’s friends rushed to her aid and waded her ashore. As the first NSRI emergency vehicles arrived on-scene, she had arrived safely on terra firma.
NSRI Wilderness station commander, Hennie Niehaus, confirmed that this was an incredible rescue effort displayed by the Inspectors. Eye-witnesses said that it suddenly got very quiet while Jacque grappled with his “catch of the day”, pulling his rod up in the air, gently reeling in his line and then repeating the process.
Torsten applauded Sunyata for not panicking, but simply staying afloat while she was being reeled to shore. “The rip-current was incredibly strong and had she panicked, the outcome may have been quite different.”
Sunyata praised her rescuers efforts: “Without the aid of the fishing line, there was no way I would have made it ashore.” But she admitted her great surprise when seeing Jacque casting his rod in her direction. “I could hardly believe it, but took hold of the fishing line and felt myself being pulled towards the beach.”
Jacque Starbuck said that they had earlier decided not to go on their angling excursion, “but something told us that we had to go fishing today!”
