Three drownings at popular North Coast beaches
Beachgoers are urged to check with lifeguards before entering bathing areas to confirm if it is safe to do so.
A 41-year-old Melville resident drowned at Tinley Manor beach on Friday, January 17, following two drownings at Westbrook and Umdloti the previous afternoon.
The victim from Melville was swimming with three friends when they got into difficulty. Three men between the ages of 28 and 38 were rescued by the KwaDukuza lifeguards.
Lifeguard superintendent Bongani Xulu said the lifeguards performed CPR for 45 minutes without success.
On January 16, a man was swept out to sea at Umdloti Beach and at the same time another North Coast resident drowned at an unprotected beach south of Westbrook.
According to Nazir Sadack of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the first man was reportedly swept from the Umdloti tidal pool in rough sea conditions.
The body of the 35-year-old was brought to the shore half an hour later where he was declared dead.
At Westbrook a 45-year-old resident of La Mercy got into difficulty and drowned.
“Rescuers pulled him from the sea, unfortunately there was nothing further that could be done for him,” said Metro Police senior superintendent Parboo Sewpersad.
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