Tragedy at Cape St Francis as a Dutch tourist drowns

At approximately 17h30, Thursday, 15th January, NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew responded NSRI rescue swimmers and launched the sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF ST FRANCIS II following reports of two women being swept out to sea by rip currents at Cape St Francis, in front of the Cape St Francis resort.On arrival on-scene one woman, 58, a Dutch tourist, was found safe on the beach after reportedly being rescued from the surf by a bystander and a search commenced for a woman 65, a Dutch tourist.During a search the body of the woman was located approximately 300 meters off-shore and recovered onto the sea rescue craft where CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were commenced by NSRI medics while the sea rescue craft raced to the NSRI St Francis Bay sea rescue base where a doctor declared her deceased.Police have opened an inquest docket.The surviver is being supported by Police and the travel company and the Dutch Consulate are assisting.The body of the deceased woman has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.Our sincere condolences to the family. File imageTO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONESMS 32287 with your name and a message of support for our Sea Rescue crew.SMS charged at R1