A beach day in False Bay ended in tragedy after a 12-year-old girl succumbed to a fatal drowning and a 34-year-old man went missing on Saturday, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Also read: City of Cape Town reminds beachgoers of golden rules for summer
According to NSRI Strandfontein station commander Nicky Whitehead, the NSRI Strandfontein duty crew network, along with Cape Town Fire & Rescue Services, WCG Health EMS and law enforcement agencies were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Monwabisi Beach at around 6:45pm.
‘On arrival on the scene, it was found that a female child, believed to be age 12, had reportedly been brought onto the beach unresponsive and one man, believed to be age 34, was missing in the surf zone,’ said Whitehead.
‘It appears that the man had attempted to rescue the girl after she was reportedly caught in rip currents but then he got into difficulties before disappearing in the water.’
The man who had tried to rescue the girl were not related to each other.
‘The girl was transported to hospital, reportedly by private transport, but she was sadly declared deceased on arrival at hospital. She had succumbed to fatal drowning,’ added Whitehead.
‘Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search, there remains no signs of the missing man.’
An ongoing search by Water Policing and Diving Services and an EMS Metro Rescue drone Search and Rescue unit continues.
‘Police have opened an Inquest docket,’ concluded Whitehead, who conveyed condolences to the friends and family of the deceased child and thoughts, care and compassion to the loved ones of the missing man during this difficult time.
Also read:
South African Weather Service develops a rip current forecasting model
Picture: Shelley Christians / Gallo Images
