A nine-year-old boy has died following a drowning incident at Kleinmond Main Beach Lagoon on Saturday, 10 October, despite efforts by bystanders, rescue personnel and paramedics to resuscitate him.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Kleinmond crew was activated at 15:12 after eyewitnesses reported a drowning in progress at the lagoon.
According to an NSRI media statement issued by Kleinmond station commander Schalk Boonzaaier, the boy was found underwater while visiting the beach with his family.
Bystanders, including a clinical practitioner, were in the process of recovering the child from the water when cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started.
NSRI rescue swimmers and medics responded alongside the Critical Care Medical ambulance service, ER24, Overstrand Fire and Rescue Service and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
NSRI medics continued resuscitation efforts after arriving at the scene, with paramedics also assisting. Despite extensive attempts to revive the child, he was declared deceased at the scene.
The child’s body was handed over to the police and the Government Health Forensic Pathology Service.
The NSRI confirmed that the boy’s family was receiving support from the police. Boonzaaier also conveyed the organisation’s condolences to the family.
Police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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Picture: NSRI/Facebook
