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- The search for a 28-year-old Woodstock man continues after he went missing when caught in rip currents, while two men drowned at Sonwabe Beach in Muizenberg on New Year's Day (Monday, 1 January).
- Following CPR efforts, a 18-year-old man was declared dead.
- In a separate incident, about 500 meters from Sonwabe Beach, the NSRI responded to an incident where a 24-year-old man also drowned and was declared dead on the scene.
The search for a 28-year-old Woodstock man continues after
he went missing when caught in rip currents, while two men drowned at Sonwabe
Beach in Muizenberg on New Year's Day (Monday, 1 January).
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), along with several emergency services, responded to a drowning in progress at about 13:30 at the Muizenberg beach, where three males (8, 12, and 18) were reported to be caught in rip currents and being swept out to sea.
Following CPR efforts, the 18-year-old man was declared dead. The two boys were out of the water, thanks to the rescue efforts by two beachgoers.
Craig Lambinon, NSRI spokesperson, says, “Two unidentified male bystanders had assisted the 12-year-old out of the water, while also trying to assist a 28-year-old man. The 8-year-old had managed to get out of the water unassisted.”
Lambinon says the 12-year-old was transported to hospital in a stable condition for observation of non-fatal drowning symptoms. He adds that a sea and shoreline search for the missing man, believed to be the father of the 8-year-old, continues.
In a separate incident, about 500 meters from Sonwabe Beach, the NSRI responded to an incident where a 24-year-old man also drowned. After all efforts to resuscitate him, the Manenberg resident was declared dead on the scene. Police have opened inquest dockets in the cases of the two deceased.
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Lambinon says the bodies of the deceased were taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
“Our thoughts and support, in cooperation with the police and the emergency services, are with the family - related to the missing man at Sonwabe - in this difficult time,” he concludes.
Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for community services and health, cautions beachgoers to swim only where and when lifeguards are on duty. She says: “Please also take heed of the warnings about rip currents and stronger swells in the days ahead. We are determined to provide safe spaces for our beachgoers, but we need the public to play their part too.”
