2 young men drown at Hawston

At 13h55, Saturday, 07th February, NSRI Hermanus duty crew launched the sea rescue craft HUNTERS GOLD RESCUER and an NSRI rescue vehicle, Law Enforcement, WC Government Health EMS and the SA Police Services responded to Hawston Beach, near to Hermanus, following reports of a drowning in progress.It was confirmed that two men, both from Ravensmead in Cape Town, aged 24 and 29, were swept out to sea it is believed while swimming.A lifeguard on duty at the local Hawston public swimming pool also responded and went into the surf where he rescued a 24 year old male from the surf and arriving EMS paramedics took over from the lifeguard conducting Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts on the man on the beach but despite extensive CPR efforts the man was declared deceased on the scene by paramedics.During an ongoing search operation aboard the sea rescue craft NSRI rescuers located the body of the 29 year old man approximately 2 meters under water in the surf and an NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed into the water and the body of the man was recovered onto the sea rescue craft and brought ashore at Hawston Harbour where sadly paramedics declared the man deceased.The bodies of both men have been handed into the care of Police and the Forensic Pathology Services and Police have opened an inquest docket.NSRI and the emergency services convey Sincere Condolences to the families of the two men.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONESMS 32287 with your name and a message of support for our Sea Rescue crew