A young Sheffield woman drowned at Salt Rock main beach early this morning while swimming with her fiancé.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of a young surfer the 29-year-old man, Loyiso Morrison, was rescued. However his fiancée, Samkelisiwe Mkhize (26), had already gone under when help arrived.

The couple had gone to the beach to watch the sunrise, after which they decided to take a swim. This was before the KwaDukuza lifeguards had arrived for duty.

When  Samkelisiwe got in to trouble her finacee  tried to help her but both were taken out in a strong rip current.

When Scott van Reenen (22) arrived on the beach he heard the couple’s cries for help.

“I immediately ran to the lifeguard tower to see if anyone was there or if I could find a rescue bouy,” he said.

Finding the tower still locked Van Reenen dived into the sea and swam out to the couple in distress.

“They were already at mid-break when I entered the ocean and by the time I arrived the woman had already dissapeared.

“I tried to dive for her but the visibility was terrible and the man was also struggling to stay afloat.”

Worried that he would lose Loyiso too if they stayed out any longer Van Reenen managed to attract the attention of an unknown surfer, who took the man to shore using his surfboard.

The brave young man returned to the area where  Samkelisiwe had last been scene but despite his efforts he could not find her.

KwaDukuza lifeguards arrived shortly afterwards, and with the assistance of Rapid Care and Netcare 911, launched a full-scale search.

Family and friends sat anxiously on the beach keeping vigil.

Three and a half hours later the rescue team recovered her body in the surf some 800m south of the main beach.

Samkelisiwe was originally from Pietermaritzburg, but had been working for the North Coast Courier as a Sales Rep for the past two years.

Ed – The North Coast Courier offers our condolences to Sam’s family and friends. She was greatly loved by everyone here at the Courier.