The National Sea Rescue Insitute (NSRI) has commended a Good Samaritan for his swift action in assisting two men swept out to sea at Kalk Bay Harbour on Saturday 26 August.
NSRI Simon’s Town station commander Simon McDonnell says the Samaritan, who had been identified as Brandon, used a NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy to assist with the rescue.
“At 16:45, Saturday 26 August, NSRI duty crew were activated following reports of two local adult males in the water, after being swept off the harbour wall.
“On arrival, it was found that the Good Samaritan Brandon had used an NSRI pink rescue buoy to assist the two men.
Brandon had got the man swept off the wall safely to shore where the casualty had been pulled out of the water with the assistance of bystanders.”
McDonnell adds that the Samaritan assisted with a second casualty in the water, using the NSRI pink rescue buoy to keep him afloat. “NSRI commend Brandon for his actions. Kalk Harbour wall is notorious for its reputation where bystanders may be swept off the harbour wall at high tide when seas are rough.”
Meanwhile, the People’s Post tracked the Good Samaritan down to the Haven Night Shelter in Kalk Bay.
Natasha Mentoor, manager at the shelter, explains that Brandon Van Der Vent was fishing with his best friend when the incident occurred.
“Brandon and his wife has been at the shelter for four to five months. He is currently attending a programme at U-turn ministries.
“He is a very quiet person. They were catching fish at the harbour and did not see the incoming wave which hit Clint, Brandon’s best friend from the harbour wall.
“When Brandon saw what happened, he jumped in and saved his best friend and one other person who also jumped in to assist.”
The NSRI appeals to the public to stay clear of the Kalk Bay harbour wall during high tide when waves noticeably sweep over the wall.
The injured man was taken into the care of paramedics and transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
