Cape Town - An Eastern Cape businessman been hailed for saving a family of four from drowning at Kelly’s Beach in Port Alfred last weekend.
Edward Gutsche, 49, was about to leave the beach when he was approached by two women who alerted him to four people struggling in the water.
Gutsche had been bodyboarding at the beach and without hesitation, put his flippers on his feet and went to their assistance.
NSRI Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said by the time Gutsche reached the first person in the water, the family appeared to have been separated from each other by about 15 to 30 metres.
“He reached a girl aged about 16. He instructed her to hold onto his bodyboard for floatation and he reassured her he would come back shortly. He then reached a male child aged about 12. He instructed the child to obey him and let him take him to the bodyboard. The child obeyed and Ed swam him to the bodyboard.
“He then reached a female child aged about 14. As he reached her she disappeared under the water.
“He dived underwater swimming deeper searching for her. He spotted her, she was looking at him. She took in a deep breath of water before appearing to be lifeless (or unconscious). (Gutsche) grabbed her and pulled her to the surface. Once above water she spluttered, coughed and expelled water. To his surprise she was conscious. He reassured her before swimming her back to the bodyboard. He arranged them so that all three could use the bodyboard for flotation,” he said.
Lambinon said Gutsche then went to search for the father, finding him a distance away.
“Once they were all together Ed arranged them around the bodyboard and started towing them towards the beach to safety.”
Cape Times