The first day of 2019 proved to be a challenging one for NSRI teams across the Cape with a number of incidents taking place from Kleinmond to Tableview.
At 1.54pm NSRI teams stationed at 42 Kleinmond, 17 Hermanus, the Overberg Fire and Rescue services, WC Government Health EMS, SA Police and EMR ambulance services responded to Palmiet Beach following reports of a drowning in progress. A 17-year-old boy was rescued from Caledon who had been caught in the rip currents. The teenager was treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms by paramedics and taken to hospital in a serious yet stable condition.
At 2.42pm Community Medics were activated due to reports of a drowning at Tableview Beach.
Community Medics, NSRI Station 18 Melkbosstrand, NSRI Table Bay, SA Paramedic Services, Life Healthcare response paramedics, WC Government Health EMS, CoCT Fire and Rescue Services, Big Bay Surf Lifesaving lifeguards, Law Enforcement officers, the SA Police Services and local Neighbourhood Watch responded.
A local man, in his thirties had been rescued from the water by a local bystander. On arrival at the scene lifeguards and paramedics initiated CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts on man who is believed to have suffered a drowning accident after being caught in rip currents.
Paramedics continued with Advanced Life Support intervention but sadly after all efforts at CPR were exhausted he was declared deceased by paramedics.
Police have opened an inquest docket and the body of the deceased man has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.
At 3.03pm, NSRI Station 9 Gordons Bay were alerted by GB Med Security ambulance service of a drowning at Strand Beach.
GB Med Security ambulance service, WC Government Health EMS, Strand Surf Lifesaving lifeguards, NSRI Station 9 Gordons Bay, CoCT Fire and Rescue Services and Law Enforcement officers responded.
Lifeguards rescued a 15-year-old boy from rip currents in the surfline. Paramedics treated the teenager for non-fatal drowning symptoms and he was transported to hospital by GB Med Security ambulance in a serious but stable condition.
Another drowning took place at Strand around 4pm on the same day, members of the public had run to the Municipal swimming pool to raise the alarm and to call the lifeguard on duty at the Municipal swimming pool.
CoCT Pro Lifesaving lifeguard, Cameron Vannithing, responded from Strand Municipal Swimming Pool and rescued a 30-year-old male from rip currents in the surfline.
On getting the man to the beach Cameron initiated CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts on the victim. Paramedics continued CPR efforts in the ambulance en route to hospital and a pulse was restored. The patient remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Earlier in the day at 3.20pm NSRI Richards Bay dispatched a sea rescue craft to the Bay Hall Area following reports of a person missing in the water.
Police Search and Rescue, lifeguards and uMhlatuzi Fire and Rescue Services responded.
During a search for a child, aged between 10 and 13, who had been reported missing in the water, NSRI came across a drowning in progress and rescued an 8-year-old local male from the water. The young male victim was transported to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition.
Later around 17.22pm, NSRI was notified that Police Search and Rescue had recovered the body of the child who had gone missing in the water earlier.
Police have opened an inquest docket and the body of the deceased child has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.
Three other incidents took place on the same day, a man died after succumbing to drowning in Big Bay, four people were rescued from the sea at Buffles Bay and a man went missing after swimming in Tableview and an ongoing search for his body still underway.
Condolences are conveyed to families who lost their loved ones.
Pictures: NSRI
