Woman drowns, man missing at sea

A woman drowned at Margate Pier last Saturday, and a man is still missing at sea.

According to Craig Lambinon of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the Shelly Beach duty crew responded to reports of a drowning after eyewitnesses reported a woman and man caught in rip currents.

Lambinon said Simunye Lifeguard Services, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality authorities, NSRI rescue swimmers, Saps, and ambulance services responded to the scene.

“An unidentified bystander reportedly entered the water and rescued the woman, bringing her to the beach. The bystander then tried to rescue the man but retreated due to rough seas due to the spring high tide. He was not injured, and he is commended for his efforts,” he said.

He added that after all efforts to resuscitate the woman were exhausted, she was declared dead.

Lambinon said lifeguards searched for the man who had disappeared underwater, and despite an extensive search, there is still no sign of the missing man.

“The local fishing community is commended for assisting on the scene. Police divers and Police K9 Search and Rescue, assisted by lifeguards, continued to search for the missing man. Police have opened an inquest docket,” he said.

According to sources, both the man and the woman are from the Eastern Cape.

In an unrelated incident, Lambinon said a man drowned at Palm Beach on Saturday.

“Police have opened an inquest docket.”

Meanwhile, Clr Rochelle Robbetze of the FF Plus said the drownings served as an early warning to holidaymakers to respect the ocean.

She said people need to be familiar with tide changes, currents and other dangers when swimming.

“The spring high tide causes unpredictable rip currents at various places along the South Coast and most popular beaches in the country. The NSRI recommends that swimmers only visit beaches where there are lifeguards on duty. Important emergency NSRI numbers to keep at hand are 112 or 087 0949774,” she said.

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