The Kouga community were left frustrated and angry when two lifeguards allegedly did not respond to the call for help after two men experienced difficulties while swimming at the Seekoei River Lagoon at Paradise Beach in Jeffreys Bay on January 6. Sadly, a 29-year-old man died while the other was successfully rescued.
An anonymous eyewitness, originally from Gqeberha, said that on January 6, while on holiday in the region she visited the Seekoei River Lagoon with her family.
She said that while three men were swimming together at the lagoon, tragedy struck when two of them experienced difficulties in the water.
She further said that even though there were at least three calls for help, the two lifeguards on duty continued to stay seated under a tree and only approached the men once their friend managed to carry both men to shore.
With almost 40 years of experience as a theatre nurse, she quickly rushed to assist with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on one of the victims when he was brought ashore.
She said that she received assistance from a man who she believes is from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI); however they received no help from the lifeguards.
“Lifeguards should be trained to perform basic CPR and must renew their Basic Life Support certificate every two years. These two lifeguards should not have been there because they are incompetent,” she said.
She further said that she could feel a faint pulse on the drowning victim, and could hear that there was fluid in his lungs.
She said that they continued to resuscitate him for about 15 to 20 minutes before Gardmed Ambulance arrived.
Despite Gardmed Ambulance’s extensive CPR, one of the drowning victims died, while the other survived.
“It was a very traumatic experience for me,” she said.
Her husband, who would also prefer to remain anonymous, said that there were not many people at the lagoon when the tragic incident occurred.
“There is absolutely no excuse for the lifeguards, since there were not many people at the lagoon. How could they not see them drowning,” he asked.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, confirmed the drowning incident and said that an inquest has been opened for investigation, after a 29-year-old man from Oceanview, Jeffreys Bay, drowned while swimming in Paradise Beach on January 6.
Despite the eyewitness and her husband insisting that the lifeguards did not respond to the initial call for help, Kouga municipal manager, Charl du Plessis, said that the lifeguards immediately commenced with drowning and injury protocol after assisting with getting the victim to shore.
He said that one person suffered from exhaustion and fatigue and was assisted by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), while one person required CPR; however, for reasons unknown to the lifeguards, relatives initially refused CPR.
Du Plessis said that they are sad to report that, unfortunately the victim succumbed to his injuries.
He said that their thoughts are with the family members during this difficult time.
Elaborating on the municipality’s investigation into the drowning incident, Du Plessis said that reports were received from the lifeguards on duty relating to the incident which yielded that three people were observed swimming in the lagoon from the causeway towards the shore, when a call for help was heard by the lifeguards and beachgoers.
“The lifeguards reacted to the call. One of the three was unconscious and pulled from the water to shore by the other two, and assisted by the lifeguards. Another, who was severely fatigued and in shock, had to be stabilised while the third person appeared to be fine and evidently not in danger,” said Du Plessis.
He said an NSRI volunteer was also on the scene at the time of the incident and assisted the lifeguards with the family’s consent.
Du Plessis said that the police and EMS were immediately notified and dispatched to the scene.
“A verbal statement was also taken from an onlooker who witnessed and confirmed certain details of the incident. All reports are duly submitted to the municipal manager,” said Du Plessis.
He said that two lifeguards are stationed at the lagoon and four more at the lagoon mouth and designated beach area at Aston Beach.
“The lifeguards appointed are duly qualified and certified,” said Du Plessis.
He further said that during the festive period there were 60 lifeguards on duty across the Kouga area, and that they experienced one drowning and multiple help-outs.
Lifeguards are on duty at the following beaches:
. Jeffreys Bay Main Beach (Blue Flag) – until April 30, 2024.
. Cape St Francis Beach (Blue Flag) – until January 30, 2024.
On January 15, the Kouga Municipality issued a statement to inform residents that there are no lifeguards at Paradise Beach, Paradise Lagoon, Aston Bay Beach, Pellsrus Beach, Kabeljous Beach, Kabeljous Lagoon, Oyster Bay Beach, and St Francis Bay Main Beach. The statement further reads that anyone who enters the ocean where there are no lifeguards on duty does so at their own risk. In the event of an emergency, contact the local NSRI at 079 916 0390 (Jeffreys Bay), or 082 990 5969 (St Francis Bay). Alternatively, contact Kouga’s all hours’ emergency number at 042 291 0250.
