EL pupils’ quick thinking saves family in sea drama

AN OUTING to Glen Eden beach took a dramatic turn for a family from Johannesburg when they were swept away by strong currents.

A group of five vigilant pupils alerted the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) after witnessing the family in trouble at around 9am.

The family – 41-year-old Andrew Gall, 12-year-old Matthew Gall, 14year-old Keegan Aagenaker and 39year-old Ronald Gall – are all from Fourways in Johannesburg.

Fourteen-year-old Stirling High pupil Thomas Lindhorst, who was with friends Eden Morgan, Sebastian van der Merwe, Jaimee van der Merwe and Lhea Johnston, said he was the first to notice the family in trouble.

The five friends were commended for the role they had played in the rescue by the NSRI.

Thomas said: “I said to the guys we should call for help because I could see the people were in trouble.

“We followed their direction and I waved my shirt to signal them that we were getting help. They saw us.”

Eden said he managed to get through to the police and later got a call from NSRI.

“The family got

swept

away

for about 3km. We could see them struggling to paddle.

“Two men on jetskis also came to their rescue and later on sea rescue arrived and helped,” Eden said.

NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said it appeared that Gall and his cousin Ronald had swum out to sea with the children who were “holding onto sea kayaks but were soon deep into the bay being swept away by currents in rough seas”.

“The four were being swept across the bay towards the direction of Glen Eden.

“Later the two children were close enough to shore to swim to the beach. Two men on jetskis, also seeing them in difficulty, went to their aid and assisted the father and his cousin onto the sea kayaks, and then towed them towards the beach towards Glen Eden where NSRI’s sea rescue craft was.”

Lambinon said the team was able to bring the casualties safely to shore after they were directed by Eden. —