THREE teenagers are in a stable condition in hospital after they were swept out to sea and rescued by their friend in Gleneadon, East London, the National Sea Rescue Institute said today (December 15).

Jacque Liebenberg, 13, Suzie Muller, 12, and Tania Muller, 18, were found on the beach yesterday afternoon, suffering symptoms of near drowning, said the NSRI’s East London station commander Geoff McGregor.

“They were swept away by an exceptionally strong rip-current and when their friend, 16-year-old Johan van der Walt, saw they were in trouble, he grabbed a boogie board and paddled after them,” said McGregor.

The boy reached his friends 800 metres out to sea and kept them together.

He used the board to keep them afloat while gradually swimming towards the shore.

“They were taken to hospital for observation for secondary drowning and they are all stable and in satisfactory conditions.

“Johan’s actions averted a disaster and he is commended for his efforts,” said McGregor.

He said the four, from Krugersdorp, were on vacation in East London with their families.

The NSRI appealed to the public to exercise extreme caution at swimming pools, inland waterways and along the coast. – Sapa