Two lifeguards from the Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club have been commended for rescuing two men and their dogs who were swept out to sea at Lagoon Beach.
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The incident occurred around 5:30pm on Tuesday when strong currents near the lagoon’s mouth pulled the two men and their dogs into the sea. One of the men is believed to be a Milnerton resident.
Reuben McLachlan, a 22-year-old lifeguard, learned about the emergency through the club’s WhatsApp group. Upon arriving at the beach with fellow lifeguard Michael Chandler (26) they saw the men struggling on the far side of the lagoon at Milnerton Beach.
McLachlan and Chandler rushed to Milnerton Beach, where they found the men and dogs had managed to get out of the water near the Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club. They immediately provided medical assistance. McLachlan noted that one of the men appeared to be showing signs of hypothermia, saying, ‘We covered him with an emergency blanket and took him to our club. We then put him in the shower so we could get his wet clothes off and warm him up. We started with a cool (shower).’
The lifeguards stayed with the man until paramedics arrived to take over.
This rescue follows a tragic incident at Lagoon Beach over a week ago, where two under-19 soccer players drowned. Siyamthanda ‘Zaya’ Mqolombeni and Buhle ‘Gora’ Pantshwa, teammates from Lokshin Spurs Football Club, were pulled out to sea by a strong rip current while trying to retrieve their soccer ball from the water.
The Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club has since issued a warning about the dangerous surf conditions at Lagoon Beach. They also highlighted that their lifeguards are volunteers who dedicate their time each year and have urged the City of Cape Town to ensure lifeguards are present at Lagoon Beach year-round, not just during peak seasons.
Currently, the City employs seasonal lifeguards at the club during the summer period, from the September holidays until Easter.
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