15-year-old surfer rescues French couple at sea
The couple from the French city of Tourcoing had gone harpoon fishing, but drifted away from the beach due to the current and the wind coming from the mainland. They had no oars and were stuck in their boat for hours.
When a local De Panne surf club noticed a "small spot" at the horizon, 15-year-old Charles-Louis Blondeel got into his kayak and came to the rescue himself. He was followed by other surfers, but only Charles-Louis managed to attach the rubber boat to his kayak.
Other rescue services - including a NH-90 helicopter, the police, fire services and a rescue boat - also started an operation, but returned half way as the surfers' attempt proved successful. The French couple was very grateful to the boy, and escaped a heavy fine, as they did not have to cover the costs made for the rescue operation.
