A KwaZulu-Natal woman (19), believed to be a student at Rhodes University in Makhanda, drowned at West Beach in Port Alfred yesterday, 10 September.
According to Gerrit Cloete, NSRI Port Alfred deputy station commander, the NSRI crew were activated at 15:53 following reports of a drowning in progress.
“In strong rip currents a woman was being swept
out to sea. We believe she had been swimming and wading in waist
deep water at the time while at the beach with friends,” Cloete said.
NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the scene, the
NSRI rescue craft Rescue 11 Alpha was launched, SA Police Services, Gardmed
ambulance services, multi security officers and municipal
officials responded.
“On arrival at the scene our NSRI rescue craft
was able to reach the woman in the surf line in rough sea conditions and
on rescuing the woman onto our rescue craft, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary
Resuscitation) efforts commenced and the woman was brought to our NSRI Port
Alfred rescue station, where paramedics continued with extensive CPR efforts.”
After all efforts to resuscitate the student were
exhausted, she was declared deceased.
Her body has been taken into the
care of police and government health forensic pathology services, Cloete added.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
