A 54-year-old man from Plattekloof died after collapsing while surfing at Bloubergstrand Beach in Table View on Saturday morning 15 August.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Melkbosstrand duty crew was activated at about 10:20 after eyewitnesses reported a surfer in distress in the surf zone.

Son and good samaritan bring surfer ashore

According to NSRI communications spokesperson Craig Lambinon, the man had been surfing with his 23-year-old son when he became unresponsive.

The son used his surfboard to assist his father in reaching the shoreline, while a male good samaritan helped using an NSRI pink rescue buoy.

Together, they managed to bring the man to the beach, where a bystander began CPR.

Emergency teams launch resuscitation efforts

Multiple emergency services responded, including NSRI rescue swimmers, Western Cape Government Health EMS, Community Medics, Netcare 911, Metro EMS Western District, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Disaster Risk Management, the police and Big Bay Surf Lifesaving lifeguards.

Community Medics said emergency services worked together seamlessly, providing early defibrillation and high-quality CPR. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts by paramedics and emergency personnel, the man could not be revived and was declared deceased at the scene.

Police open inquest

The man’s body was handed over to police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services. Police have opened an inquest docket.

Table View Neighbourhood Watch also attended the scene to support the man’s family in cooperation with police.

Lambinon conveyed condolences to the man’s family and friends.

Community Medics also expressed their condolences, saying the emergency teams had worked together in an effort to save the man’s life.

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