NSRI sprig tides full moon

The NSRI has provided tips for the public to ensure they remain safe if they are trapped in a rip current. Photo: nsri.org.za

Durban man saves teenager from rip current at Wilderness beach

Dion Kuter stepped up to save a life in Wilderness after spotting a teenager in distress in the surf and discovering they were caught in a rip current.

NSRI sprig tides full moon

The NSRI has provided tips for the public to ensure they remain safe if they are trapped in a rip current. Photo: nsri.org.za

Durban resident Dion Kuter stepped up to save a life in Wilderness after spotting a teenager in distress in the surf and discovering they were caught in a rip current.

The NSRI Wilderness rescue station had been alerted by public members to a drowning in progress at Wilderness Beach.

Durban man rescues teen from rip current at Wilderness beach

Rescue services were activated but by the time they arrived on the scene they found that the teenager had been helped to a sandbank by the Good Samiritan.

Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said: “On our NSRI rescue swimmers arriving at the shoreline they found a Good Samaritan, 58 year old Dion Kuter, had reached a local 16-year-old male who was in difficulties in the mid break surf line.

“Dion had assisted the teenager to the safety of a sand bank.

“Our NSRI rescue swimmers launched into the surf and assisted Dion to bring the casualty to the beach where the teenager was treated by NSRI Wilderness medics for non-fatal drowning symptoms.

“The teenager was taken into the care of EMS paramedics and transported to hospital in a stable condition by EMS ambulance.

“He was released from hospital later in good health.

“Good Samaritan Dion Kuter, a Durban man whose company WPCP has a 2 year work contract at George Municipality, a former lifeguard and an avid spear fisherman and ski-boater, told NSRI that following a swim he was standing on the beach when he saw the teenager in the water appearing to maybe be caught in a rip current.

“Uncertain if the teenager was actually in any difficulty Dion swam towards him to check if he was okay and only then realised that the teenager was in grave danger and caught in strong rip currents.”

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Whatever it takes

Dion Kuter
Durban man Dion Kuter has become hero to a teenager at Wilderness beach. Photo: Sodwana Bay Spearfishing Club

Kuter revealed that he made the conscious decision in that moment that he would do everything he could to save the teenager.

“Dion assisted the teenager to get free of the rip current, swimming, pulling and pushing the teenager parallel to the shoreline until they were free of the rip current while also coaching the teenager to tread water, float on his back, keep his head above water and to not panic, knowing also that NSRI had been alerted and that help was on its way. 

“Together they got free of the rip current and reached a sand bank where they could stand on the submerged sand bank in relative safety until the NSRI rescue swimmers reached them.

“NSRI commend Dion for his efforts that contributed to the teenagers life being saved.”