Three people drown in separate incidents across Zululand region

Three people drown, at least two others missing in separate incidents across the Zululand region

1 hour ago

Gugu Myeni 2 minutes read

The Bay Hall area where Sunday’s drowning occurred

It was a dark weekend for the Zululand region after three people drowned in various locations between Thursday and Sunday.

A man (28) drowned in the Bay Hall area in Richards Bay early Sunday morning.

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According to reports, bystanders retrieved the man from the water and emergency services, including MedCare 24 paramedics, City of uMhlathuze lifeguards and National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 19 duty crew, attempted to resuscitate him, to no avail.

He was declared deceased on scene by paramedics.

On Saturday afternoon, two teenage boys, one 14 and one 16 years old, got into difficulty in the rip current while swimming at Cape Vidal.

According to NSRI Station 40 St Lucia, the 14 year old was rescued by a bystander holidaying from Benoni, who had witnessed the incident.

“Upon arrival, NSRI St Lucia duty crew launched the rescue craft and conducted extensive search efforts in and beyond the surf zone for the 16 year old who disappeared in the surf zone.

“Despite extensive sea and shoreline search efforts, there are no signs of the missing teenager,” said NSRI St Lucia station commander Melinda Snyman on Sunday.

“NSRI medics attended to the 14 year old on the beach. He was treated on the scene for non-fatal drowning symptoms and handed into the care of SISILA EMS paramedics who transported him to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition. He is expected to make a full recovery.”

Police Search and Rescue – Water Policing and Diving Service (WPDS) assisted by iSimangaliso Wetland Park rangers, are continuing the search for the missing teen.

A police investigation is under way.

Meanwhile, the search continues for a young man (19) who went missing while swimming at Mtunzini Main Beach on Thursday.

Norman Rautenbach, Richards Bay NSRI station commander, said duty crew were activated following reports of the drowning.

“On arrival on the scene, we found local community members, friends and family, and local boaters using a private aerial drone, a rigid hull inflatable boat and a jet-ski, searching for the 19 year old from the Eastern Cape, who had gone missing in the surf zone while swimming,” said Rautenbach.

He said it appeared the teenager was swimming with his girlfriend. When she got out of the water, she noticed he was in difficulty, appearing to be caught in rip currents, and disappearing in the surf zone.

“An extensive air, sea and shoreline search has [to date] revealed no signs of the missing teenager,” added Rautenbach.

SAPS K9 and Search & Rescue continue with the search.

The bodies of two teenagers who drowned in the Tugela River over the weekend were recovered on Monday.

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