Rescue workers save children trapped beneath 3m of beach sand in KZN

Posted by Jordyn Johnson on 21 December 2022

Two children were rescued after being trapped under 3m of sand on Salt Rock beach, thanks to a team of rescue workers and the public.

On Tuesday, 20 December, two young children (a girl and a boy) were playing on the beach, building sandcastles and digging holes in the sand. Their 3 m hole collapsed in on them, and they were trapped beneath the beach sand.

The boy was rescued quickly and only sustained moderate injuries.

The young girl was trapped for more than an hour beneath the sand while ‘members of the public, Specialised Rescue Unit, IPSS Medical, IPSS Security, Netcare, and other services’ dug to get her out, IPPS Medical shared.

IOL reports that Paul Herbst, the spokesperson for Medi Response, said that ‘the girl had been building sandcastles on the beach when a notable amount of sand engulfed her. This poses a threat in respect of compartment syndrome.’

Compartment syndrome  ‘occurs when the pressure within a compartment increases, restricting the blood flow to the area and potentially damaging the muscles and nearby nerves,’ according to NHS.

She has sustained more serious injuries. Medi Response said that ‘both victims were transported to hospital’ for further care.

IPPS Medical thanked everyone for the amazing team effort, and for ensuring that both children survived the ordeal.

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