CAPE TOWN – Two men have died after they were found face down in the water near Mnandi Beach, False Bay in Cape Town this afternoon (Sunday 20 September).
The deceased were identified as a 37-year-old man from Nyanga and a 42-year-old man from Philippi.
NSRI Strandfontein duty crew were activated at about 16:40 following reports of a drowning in progress at the S-Bend near Mnandi Beach.
A multi-agency emergency response was launched, involving NSRI, the police, Cape Town Disaster Risk Management, Fire and Rescue, Western Cape Government Health EMS, City of Cape Town Law Enforcement and its marine unit, as well as Life Healthcare response paramedics.
NSRI rescue craft Rotarian Wares, which was nearby at the time, also diverted to the scene.
CPR efforts fail to save two men
NSRI Strandfontein station commander Nicolette Whitehead said rescue crews found the two men out of the water on the beach when they arrived.
“NSRI crew initiated CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts on both males and were joined on the scene by Law Enforcement, rescue services, paramedics and Police,” said NSRI communications spokesperson Craig Lambinon.
“Despite extensive CPR efforts, after all efforts to resuscitate the two males were exhausted, sadly both men were declared deceased by paramedics,” he said.
It is understood the men were part of a group of locals swimming together in the shallow surf when members of the group discovered the two men face down in the water.
They were recovered to shore and emergency services were alerted.
Police open inquest
Their bodies were handed over to police and Western Cape Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
Lambinon conveyed condolences to the families of the two men.
