A KAYAKING trip at Shark Bay in the Western Cape ended in disaster this weekend.
A 33-year-old woman from Joburg is fighting for her life after a near-death experience at Shark Bay in Langebaan Lagoon, Western Cape, on Saturday afternoon, 12 October.
She and her 33-year-old friend from KZN nearly drowned after they ran into trouble while kayaking.
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the two women had rented a double kayak and were wading in shallow water when they began struggling to stay afloat.
Residents at Shark Bay quickly noticed the women in distress and acted fast to help.
Nic Stevens, NSRI Mykonos station commander, said that the NSRI team, West Coast Medical Rescue, and paramedics rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a drowning in progress.
"While responding to the scene, it was confirmed that two females had been rescued from the water by Good Samaritans," Stevens said.
Several people jumped into action.
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Johan Nortjé, a man from Bothasig in Cape Town, used a canoe to reach one of the women and pull her to safety.
Meanwhile, a local boat, skippered by a 52-year-old man from Brackenfell and his 18-year-old nephew, rescued the second woman, who was found "lifeless and face down" in the water.
As the boat returned to shore, Brackenfell couple Bernard and Petro Pieters climbed aboard and immediately began performing CPR on the Joburg woman.
"The 33-year-old Johannesburg female was found to be pulseless and breathless," said NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon.
He said that the couple's quick response saved her life.
By the time paramedics arrived, her pulse had been restored, and she was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition.
Her friend was also taken to the hospital but was in stable condition and has since made a full recovery.
Lambinon praised everyone involved for their bravery and swift action.
"NSRI commends the skipper and crew on the boat, Johan Nortjé, and Bernard and Petro Pieters, all Good Samaritans, for their efforts," he said.
The Joburg woman remains under medical care.
