South Coast’s good weather marred by drownings

Three bathers, including a child (9), have tragically lost their lives in separate incidents while swimming on the South Coast recently.

Well-loved karate instructor Bernice Harris (39) from Witbank was attending a national karate training camp when she drowned at TO Strand in Port Edward on October 13.

Tokkie Livingstone, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Port Edward deputy station commander, said their duty crew responded after reports of CPR efforts in progress.

NSRI together with medics, rescue swimmers and police responded.

It appears Harris was swimming when she may have been caught in rip currents, she was rescued by a friend and brought to shore.

“On arrival it was found that CPR was being performed on Harris by friends which included a doctor, who was believed to be her partner,” said Livingstone.

He said that NSRI and paramedics from Med-Evac Ambulance Services continued with CPR on the woman. But, after all efforts to resuscitate her were exhausted she was declared dead.

On October 15, a man (30) from Pietermaritzburg was swept out to sea after waves breached the Margate tidal pool. It’s believed the man had tried to save a woman who was in trouble.

Police spokesperson, Captain Adam Francis said his body was recovered from the sea at Trafalgar main beach two days later.

Glen Preston of Med-Evac, who was on the NSRI boat, said an extensive sea and shoreline search was conducted before rain and fading light caused them to call off the search.

Francis confirmed that the deceased has yet to be officially identified.

It appears that a woman had also been swept out of the tidal pool into the sea.

Gary Wolmarans, NSRI Shelly Beach station commander, said that there had been reports of a drowning in progress at Margate tidal pool.

NSRI Shelly Beach rescue craft Spirit of Dawn was launched while NSRI rescue swimmers, Netcare 911 and Med-Evac, Simunye Lifeguards and Saps Search and Rescue unit responded.

Luckily, a local Good Samaritan, Johan Spangenberg from Margate together with a bystander initiated CPR efforts on the woman and they were able to restore spontaneous breathing and a pulse.

“We were braaiing across from the beach when we heard the commotion. The woman had been pulled out of the water and was lying on the beach. She was ‘grey’ already, and nobody was helping her. So, I ran down (falling on the way) and as I know CPR, I started performing it on her together with another beachgoer. About 15 seconds later she started to respond,” he said.

Spangenberg was joined by paramedics from Netcare 911 and then by Med-Evac who continued with medical treatment.

She was transported to hospital in a stable but serious condition. It’s believed she has since recovered.

On Tuesday last week, Francis said a nine-year-old boy allegedly drowned while swimming with other children in the Boboyi River.

Members from Saps Search and Rescue were on scene to retrieve the body.

Police have cautioned the public to be extra careful near rivers, dams, and at the beach.

* Children must always be monitored when swimming.
* Do not swim when under the influence of any substance.
* Swim within the designated area recommended by beach personnel.
* Do not get into the water if you cannot swim.

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