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This is proof, once again, that one needs to respect the ocean and its wild, unpredictable ways.

Walking along the pier at Kalk Bay Harbour is no different. While it may seem completely fine and safe, massive waves have been known to unexpectedly turn on pedestrians, sometimes even sweeping them out to sea.

There is news of eyewitness reports of a wave washing a child into the harbour at Kalk Bay Harbour on Saturday. According to the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) Simon’s Town operations controller Darren Zimmerman, reports came in of a wave that unexpectedly breached the outer harbour pier, sweeping a local father and his little boy in a stroller into the freezing water, noted CapeTownETC.

The wave also swept some of the other pedestrians strolling along the pier off their feet.

Primedia Plus notes how in a display of remarkable courage and swift action, the child’s father kept him afloat amidst the chaos, while good samaritans raced to their aid. Amidst the chaos, a rescuer made a heroic effort to pluck the child from the water, while also saving the father. Another hero emerged, retrieving the stroller and other belongings engulfed by the waves.

It must have been a sight to behold watching all the people come together to help each other.

‘The toddler, who had earlier just been unstrapped in the stroller, was kept afloat by his dad while the Good Samaritans reached them, said Zimmerman. ‘The toddler was rescued from the water by the Good Samaritans who then assisted the dad from the water.’

At that stage, NSRI received eyewitness reports that “all were safe and out of the water but medical assistance was required”. CMR paramedics sprang into action upon arrival, providing critical care to both the child and his father.

Although they survived the plunge, non-fatal drowning loomed, prompting their urgent transfer to the hospital for continued observation and treatment. Both were in stable condition, but the father remained in the hospital for observation.

NSRI’s Craig Lambinon noted that “In the harbour itself was already quite a large swell happening there” and expressed immense gratitude that there were those good samaritans ready to jump in and save the day.

This is your reminder to be careful of unpredictable water and weather when you’re close to the sea and to take note of swells when visiting ocean areas.

Local Marine Biologist and photographer, Rob Tarr, has captured some epic shots of the giant waves crashing into the Kalk Bay pier, just so that you can get an idea of what one might deal with:

Image: Facebook/ Rob Tarr

Head over here or here to see more.

[sources:primediaplus&capetownetc]