GEORGE NEWS - An Austrian tourist drowned in Wilderness on Saturday 31 January after being caught in a rip current.
According to Jonathan Britton, NSRI Wilderness station commander, their duty crew were activated at 15:00 on Saturday afternoon following reports of a drowning in progress at Leentjiesklip Beach.
Three swimmers, a 21-year-old man, his 19-year-old female friend and the 49-year-old tourist, were caught in rip currents while swimming when the alarm was raised.
On duty George municipal NSRI lifeguards had gone to their assistance. NSRI rescue swimmers, additional George municipal NSRI lifeguards, Western Cape Government Health EMS, George Fire and Rescue Services, George municipal law enforcement officers and the police responded.
The NSRI rescue craft JetRIB Ann Stratford was launched. Upon arrival on the scene, the municipal NSRI lifeguards were in the water assisting the three swimmers.
NSRI rescue swimmers and additional George municipal NSRI lifeguards entered the water to assist. The female, aged 19, initially caught in rip currents, assisted in the rescue. Her friend, a student of a university in Cape Town, was assisted in the surf-zone by George municipal NSRI lifeguards and was recovered onto the NSRI rescue craft and brought safely to shore.
The Austrian tourist was assisted in the surf-zone by George municipal NSRI lifeguards, NSRI rescue swimmers and bystanders who were swimming nearby at the time.
“Together they brought the man to the beach where CPR efforts commenced and they were joined by paramedics. The man was transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a critical condition after a feint pulse had been restored,” said Britton.
Despite resuscitation efforts en route to hospital as well as in hospital, the man was exhausted and passed away during the night. “Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased. Assistance and logistics are being provided by the NSRI, the Austrian Consulate and local Southern Cape Tourism Assist, in cooperation with police,” said Britton.
An inquest docket has been opened by the police.
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