A local artist and journalist died after he suffered a fatal suspected heart attack while swimming in the pool of his apartment complex last weekend.
The tragic incident claimed the life of Andrew “Andy” Galloway and reportedly occurred around 09:00 on Saturday (8 January), while the 60-year-old was doing laps as part of his exercise routine.
According to a media statement, a NSRI Gordon’s Bay coxswain, who lives in the apartment block in Strand, was alerted by the caretaker who had noticed the lifeless body of a man floating in the apartment amenity. The NSRI member recovered the man, a 60-year-old resident, from the swimming pool and initiated CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts.
GB Med Rescue and ER24 ambulance services responded to the incident. After all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted, he was declared deceased. The body was taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
Since his passing, messages of condolences have been streaming in on social media.
Zhann Meyer posted: “A sad goodbye, Andy Galloway, what a man you were. Always seeing the silver lining and beauty in everything around you. Rest in peace my friend. It was an honour and pleasure to have lunch around a fire with you less than 10 days ago. You will be sorely missed.”
Nicole Kitshoff shared: “Dearest Andy Galloway you were always the bright smile to a gloomy day and the spark of joy when it seemed very dark. You are and will be missed.”
Jan Lubbe commented on the last photo which Galloway posted on Friday (7 January) and entitled, “A battalion of low-flying clouds sailing slowly over the mountains towards.” Lubbe said: “Ag nee, Andy. Daar word dié wolkies toe ’n verbyvlug.”
Jean Oosthuizen also reacted to the photo saying, “Mooiloop Andy. Mag jy sweef soos die wolke in daai laaste foto wat jy op facebook geplaas het.”
Galloway was a native of Postmasburg in the Northern Cape. After matriculating from Postmasburg High School, he embarked on his studies at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein.
He was the founding member of Express and integral part of the Bloemfontein publication for nearly two decades following its establishment in 1992. The loss coincides with the publication’s 30th anniversary. Galloway was also a former editor at Volksblad.
When Covid hit, the creative shifted his focus to art and started a Facebook page, ‘Andy Art from R50’ where he advertised his artworks on offer.
. Galloway’s
According to a police report, the deceased has been identified as Jayden Andrews from Stellenbosch, who was swimming at the beach with two siblings and her father on the fateful morning, when she disappeared in the surf after experiencing difficulty in the water.
“Her body was later located and recovered by the sea rescue duty crew,” read the report.
Alan Meiklejohn, NSRI Gordon’s Bay station commander, said duty crew were activated at 07:25, following the deployment of the City of Cape Town’s water rescue network after Law Enforcement officers reported the child apparently missing in the surf.
The sea rescue craft Zelda was launched and NSRI rescue swimmers, Disaster Risk Management officers, police, Strand Surf lifesavers, Western Cape Government Health EMS, the City’s Fire and Rescue Services, GB Med Rescue and ER24 paramedics aided a search initiated on the scene.
“On arrival on the scene, the sea rescue craft searched in the direction of sea currents when a resident in a block of flats opposite Strand Beach reported sighting the girl in the water a distance away from where she had reportedly originally been swimming.
“The sea rescue craft was nearing that area at the time and NSRI crew spotted the girl lifeless in the water,” said Meijklejohn. “She was recovered onto the sea rescue craft and brought to paramedics on the shore where sadly she was declared deceased.”
The NSRI conveyed their condolences to the families of the deceased.
In both drowning cases, inquest dockets have been opened by police for further investigation.
