A family outing to Kleinmond Main Beach Lagoon ended in tragedy on Saturday, 10 October, after a nine-year-old boy was found underwater and could not be resuscitated.
Tim Marshall / Unsplash / Illustrative purposes only
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said its Kleinmond duty crew was activated at 3.12pm following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress.
When rescuers arrived, bystanders were recovering the child from the water. CPR had already begun, with a clinical practitioner among those who attempted to save him.
NSRI medics and paramedics continued resuscitation efforts, supported by emergency personnel from CMC Critical Care Medical, ER24, Overstrand Fire and Rescue Service and the South African Police Service. Despite extensive efforts, the boy was declared dead at the scene.
The child is believed to have been visiting the beach with his family. His body was handed over to the police and the Government Health Forensic Pathology Service, while police are supporting his family.
An inquest docket has been opened.
The NSRI has extended its condolences to the boy’s family following the tragedy.
The incident is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly an outing beside the water can turn into an emergency. Families visiting beaches and lagoons are encouraged to remain vigilant around the water, particularly when children are swimming or playing nearby.
Source (IOL)
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