Following the drowning of a two-year-old boy in Mandeni on the weekend Netcare911 has pleaded with holidaymakers to be safe for the remainder of the festive season.

The boy’s parents found him floating face down in a pool and rushed him to a local clinic, where doctors were unable to save him.

Spokesperson Chris Botha said paramedics have had their hands full, responding to 83 drownings and near drownings, 2580 car accidents and 427 pedestrian accidents in South Africa since December 1. He asked that holidaymakers stay away from alcohol when swimming or driving and be extra cautious on the road.