Clifton College matric pupil helps rescue man swept upstream in Umgeni River

An 18-year-old Clifton College matric pupil, Cole Nienhuser, played a crucial role in rescuing a man who was swept upstream by a spring tide in Durban North’s Umgeni River on Monday, 31 August. The man had been caught in the tide while participating in a baptism near the river mouth. Eyewitnesses alerted the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), who in turn received assistance from local security officers, fisherman Roland Theron, Clifton College car guard Njabulu Zondi, and canoe club member Tony Botes.

Botes, along with fellow paddler Tony Botes and other Good Samaritans, worked together to rescue the distressed man. Nienhuser, who was training at the Kingfisher Canoe Club gym at the time, noticed the rescue efforts and promptly swam out to lend his support. Utilizing his previous lifeguarding experience, Nienhuser guided the man through the river, from deeper sections to shallower sandbanks, before bringing him towards the shoreline, where waiting rescue personnel were ready to assist.

By the time emergency services arrived, the man had been safely brought ashore and was medically assessed, requiring no further treatment. The NSRI expressed gratitude to the rescuers, including Clifton College, which praised Nienhuser's actions as "courage in action" and "humility in character" on their social media platforms.