Father DROWNS while saving child in Thompson’s Bay

A man drowned in Thompson's Bay today while trying to save his child who was washed into the surf by a wave.

Father DROWNS while saving child in Thompson’s Bay

A man reportedly drowned while trying to save his child in Thompson’s Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

A family was taking photos on the rocks at Thompson’s Bay

According to Medi Response, their paramedics responded to reports of a drowning in Thompson’s Bay. Upon arrival, rescue crews spotted an individual floating in the ocean.

Medi Response rescue swimmers entered the water and returned to the shore with the individual. They revealed that a family had apparently been taking photographs on the rocks.

A wave washed the child into the surf while they were taking the snaps. The man dived in after his child and managed to pass her to a relative. 

Despite resuscitation attempts the man was declared deceased

He, unfortunately, got into distress, Medi Response said, and was swept away. Attempts to resuscitate the man were unsuccessful and he was sadly declared dead at the scene.

“Despite extensive advanced life support attempts to resuscitate the man, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and the man was declared dead on scene,” said Medi Response in a statement.

19-year-old Rhodes student drowns in Port Alfred – NSRI

Earlier, it was reported that a 19-year-old KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) woman drowned at West Beach in Port Alfred on Saturday, 10 September. The woman is believed to be a student at Rhodes University in Makhanda, Eastern Cape. 

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Port Alfred station commander Gerrit Cloete said that the woman was swept out into the ocean by strong rip currents. It is believed that she had been swimming and wading in waist-deep water at the beach with her friends.

Cloete said that NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the scene and their rescue craft, Rescue 11 Alpha, was launched. Along with the NSRI were the SAPS, Gardmed ambulance services, multi-security officers and municipal officials. Read the full story here.