After a sharp increase in drownings in South Africa, finally, a life was successfully saved.

This festive season miracle occurred at Dias Beach in Mossel Bay, in the Western Cape when a 31-year-old woman was rescued by a fast-thinking fisherman.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said a local fisherman was fishing along the shoreline and used fast thinking and expertise to cast his rod, complete with fishing line and a Kabeljou hook, in the direction of the woman caught in rip currents.

She had gone for a midnight swim in the water when something went wrong. The Good Samaritan snagged her by her trousers and hauled her into safety.

"NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress around 1am on Wednesday, December 18," the NSRI said.

"Rescue swimmers, the SA Police Services (SAPS), Frontier Medix ambulance services, Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services and Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services responded. On arrival on the scene the woman was located safe on the beach."

Paramedics treated her for non-fatal drowning symptoms, and she did not require any additional assistance after that.

The NSRI said that it appeared that the woman from George went into the water to swim but was trapped in rip currents at the Spring low tide.

Spring low tides occur when the gravitational attraction of the sun is 'added' to that of the moon on Earth, causing the seas to bulge somewhat more than usual.

This results in high tides being higher and low tides being lower than usual.

"The local fisherman is commended for his effort that contributed to saving the lady's life," said the NSRI.

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Festive miracle: Woman rescued from the sea by fisherman in Mossel Bay