STILBAAI – A man (21) from De Doorns died after the vehicle he was travelling in ended up in the Goukou River at Lapskuit beach, Waterkant Street in the Stilbaai area.

His sister, who was injured in the same accident, is being treated at hospital.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said in a statement that on 15 September at 06:27 NSRI Stilbaai duty crew were activated following reports of a vehicle in the Goukou River, near the Goukou River mouth.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene while the NSRI rescue vehicle, the South African Police Service, Western Cape Government Health EMS and Hessequa Fire and Rescue Service responded.

On arrival on the scene, a vehicle was discovered submerged in the Goukou River with one person trapped in the vehicle. Police divers were alerted.

With fear for the vehicle being swept downriver in the outgoing tide, NSRI rescue swimmers assisted police to recover the body of a man from the vehicle.

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The man (21) from De Doorns who was on holiday in Stilbaai with family, was declared dead by paramedics.

The body of the man was taken into the care of police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Service.

It is suspected that the incident took place in the early hours of the morning, but he circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

Sergeant Wesley Twigg, a provincial police spokesperson, said Stilbaai police registered a culpable homicide case for investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.