A 61-year-old surfer from Stellenbosch has died after collapsing while surfing at Sandstrand in Jongensfontein, near Still Bay, yesterday (August 14) reports The Witness.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Still Bay duty crew was activated at around 14:00 after reports that a man was unconscious in the surf zone.

The NSRI rescue craft, Breede Rescuer, was already on the water near a local surfing competition in Jongensfontein when it diverted to the scene.

NSRI crew, medics and Western Cape Government Health EMS also responded.

“While surfing, the man collapsed unconscious,” said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon. “Fellow surfers recovered the man to the shoreline, while raising the alarm, and on bringing the man ashore the fellow surfers had commenced CPR.”

The NSRI rescue craft arrived at the scene and deployed two crew members to swim ashore and assist with CPR on the man.

Additional NSRI crew and EMS paramedics also arrived and continued resuscitation efforts.

Despite extensive attempts to revive him, the man was declared deceased at the scene.

Police attended the scene and the man’s body was handed over to police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

Lambinon conveyed condolences to the man’s family, friends and the surfing community.

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