Near drownings at non-protected Blythedale beach

Two women came close to death after getting into difficulty at a non-swimming beach in Blythedale yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

KwaDukuza lifeguard supervisor Bongani Xulu said the two swimmers had been in the water near Channel Rock.

According to IPSS Medical Rescue’s Paul Herbst, rescue workers including KwaDukuza lifeguards arrived to find that members of the public had managed to get the two swimmers out of the water and back to shore.

Both women (one in her 30’s and the other in her 50’s) were in a critical condition and paramedics immediately sprang to work, starting advanced life support in a bid to save their lives.

“Due to the critical condition of the patients and limited access, the Black Eagle/IPSS Aeromedical helicopter airlifted one of the patients,” said Herbst.

The other victim was taken to hospital by road.

Xulu urged beachgoers to only swim at protected beaches and to follow lifeguard’s instructions at all times.

“Currently, all our beaches are still closed to swimmers because there are no shark nets in the water due to an ongoing strike at the KZN Sharks Board.”

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