NSRI rescues assaulted man on river bank

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PORT ALFRED: The rescue of a trapped bush buck in the Kowie River at Port Alfred led to the discovery of a man badly injured in an assault on a river bank.

NSRI Port Alfred deputy station commander Stephen Slade said yesterday duty crew were called after 8am following reports of a bush buck trapped in the water between the canal and the Kowie River marina.

The NSRI arrived to find the buck, a young ram, had been trying to get up the steep slope to get out of the water.

It was decided to secure the buck as quickly as possible and take it upstream to be released back on land and out of danger.

NSRI volunteers secured the buck, covered it with blankets to reduce anxiety, and loaded it on to the sea rescue craft Rescue 11 Alpha. It was taken upstream and released, running off confidently, apparently no worse off.

But as they were returning to base, about 3km upstream, a man called for help from the bank.

“On investigation, we found a 24-year-old local man on the river bank suffering injuries from an apparent assault sustained the night before.”

He had apparently fled from a group of men who allegedly assaulted him, escaping by swimming across the river.

He had sustained multiple injuries and was brought aboard the sea rescue craft, treated by medics and then taken to the NSRI base where police and the Guardmed ambulance service were waiting. Police are investigating a case of assault. – ANA