A 26-year-old woman from Paternoster tragically drowned after being swept off rocks while fishing at Tietiesbaai in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve on the West Coast on Tuesday afternoon, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon, NSRI St Helena Bay and NSRI Mykonos duty crews were activated at around 3:47pm following reports of a possible boat capsizing near the popular fishing spot.
Emergency services, including the SAPS, Western Cape Government Health EMS and West Coast Medical Rescue, responded to the scene, where it was later confirmed that no vessel had capsized. Instead, three locals – two men and a woman – had reportedly been fishing from the rocks when the incident occurred.
‘The female, aged 26, from Paternoster, had reportedly fallen into the surf where her boyfriend, aged 26, also from Paternoster, attempted to rescue her from the water, while their male friend had gone to get help,’ said Lambinon.
Paramedics treated the man at the scene before transporting him to hospital in serious condition. Lambinon confirmed that he is currently recovering. The woman, however, was still missing at the time.
The NSRI rescue craft Rotary Onwards was launched to assist in the search, joining police and EMS Metro Rescue teams on the scene. A private drone operator was also searching the water, and during the coordinated air, sea and shoreline effort, the drone located the woman in the surf.
‘The NSRI rescue craft, guided to the location by the drone, located and recovered the female from the water and resuscitation efforts were commenced,’ added Lambinon.
Despite extensive efforts by paramedics, she was declared deceased upon arrival at St Helena Bay Harbour.
Police have opened an inquest docket, and her body has been taken into the care of the Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
‘Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased female,’ concluded Lambinon.
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Picture: Weskus Tourism / Facebook
