On Monday, 11 December at 1:42pm, the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) Melkbosstrand duty crew and the City’s water rescue network received reports from eyewitnesses of a drowning in progress at Milnerton Lagoon Beach.
Also read: Rescue buoys, bystanders and a bodyboard help NSRI save lives
Multiple rescue services collaborated in response to the incident, including Milnerton SLC (Surf Lifesaving Club) lifeguards, NSRI Melkbosstrand rescue swimmers, the City’s law enforcement and marine units, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS, Community Medics, ER24 ambulance services and Netcare 911 ambulance services.
Residents, upon hearing shouts for help, had gone to investigate and noticed two men caught in rip currents and immediately sought assistance.
A local male resident used an NSRI pink rescue buoy stationed at the beach, and with the use of the rescue buoy, he was able to rescue both men to the beach, where one man, aged 25, collapsed unconscious and the other man, aged 30, appeared to be in a serious condition.
Lifeguards stationed at Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club initiated medical treatment for both men.
The 25-year-old male had trouble breathing with no pulse pressure. Lifeguards initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts before they were joined by paramedics, who continued with advanced life support CPR on the 25-year-old male while also medically stabilising the 30-year-old male.After extensive efforts to resuscitate the 25-year-old male were exhausted, he was declared deceased.
The body was taken into the care of government forensic pathology services, and SAPS has opened an inquest docket.
The 30-year-old male was transported to hospital by ER24 ambulance in a critical condition. It is believed that a group of friends had been at the beach since mid-morning when the two men were caught in rip currents while swimming. Both men are from Zimbabwe.NSRI, lifeguards, police and the combined emergency services are appealing to bathers to only swim at beaches protected by lifeguards.
Also read:
Picture: The National Sea Rescue Institute