Beachgoers attempt to save drowning man at Grannies Pool

A man drowned at the Grannies Pool near La Mustique this afternoon despite the frantic attempts of onlookers to rescue him.

Francois Taljaard, a former local who now lives in the UK and is visiting Ballito on holiday, told The Courier that he and his sons – Jack and Cameron – were swimming near the Grannies Pool when they noticed a couple struggling just a few metres out from shore.

“I dived in and swam out to them,” said Taljaard.

“When I reached them it was clear they were in trouble – the man had a look in his eyes that showed me he was afraid.”

Taljaard called for his sons’ help and together they assisted the woman out of the water.

“I went back in again but when I got to the man he was too heavy for me to pull out alone,” Taljaard recalled.

“I actually started to worry that I was going to end up in trouble too.”

Taljaard called out for help and several other beachgoers entered the surf and assisted him in getting the man out of the water.

By the time they were on the beach the man – who’s identity is unknown but who is believed to be in his late thirties/early forties – was unresponsive.

“We called for emergency services and within ten minutes they were at the beach.”

According to IPSS Medical Rescue‘s Paul Herbst, CPR was initiated by KwaDukuza lifeguards and bystanders until IPSS and Netcare 911 paramedics arrived.

“Unfortunately the man was declared dead despite the best efforts of advanced life support paramedics,” said Herbst.

Unconfirmed reports from bystanders suggest the couple were from Pretoria.

The tragic event attracted a crowd of onlookers, both on the promenade and the balconies of the many holiday accommodations lining the beach.

In light of this tragic drowning, KwaDukuza Lifeguard Supervisor, Bongani Xulu, asked beachgoers to only swim on beaches that are protected by lifeguards.

“We also ask locals not to encourage holidaymakers to swim at unprotected beaches – just because you know when and where it’s safe, doesn’t mean tourists know the same.”

Xulu praised the efforts of Taljaard and his sons in attempting to save the unfortunate holidaymaker.

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