Two young women were rescued at Salt Rock’s main beach after being partially buried by collapsing sand.
It is believed the youngsters were digging a trench when one of the walls collapsed, trapping two members of the group in the sand.
“The first was able to be rescued quickly, but the young lady was stuck in an awkward position in the hole which was approximately two meters deep,” said Medi Response KZN spokesperson, Paul Herbst.
Despite the best efforts of bystanders, more help had to be enlisted to free her.
“She was sitting on her haunches and luckily was able to keep her head above the sand, but was unable to move any other parts of her body,” said Herbst.
Though it may seem trivial, the longer she was under the sand, the higher her risk of compartment syndrome because of the lack of mobility, he said.
“Paramedics, KwaDukuza lifeguards, and a huge group of onlookers managed to free her and she was almost completely numb by the time she came out.”
She was conscious the whole time, however, and has been taken to a nearby hospital for further monitoring.