Fatal Drowning at Diaz Beach, Mossel Bay

Andre Fraser, NSRI Mossel Bay station commander, said: At 07h43, Wednesday, 23rd December, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Diaz Beach, Mossel Bay.Our duty crew, an NSRI volunteer, in the vicinity at the time on his private boat, a Police Sea Borderline Patrol boat, WC Government Health EMS, ER24 ambulance services and the SA Police Services responded to assist lifeguards at the beach who had launched into the surf to assist a father and a son swept out to sea by rip-currents.It is believed that a member of the public assisted as well.Lifeguards were able to bring the 49 year old Cape Town man and his 15 year old son to shore where paramedics commenced CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) on the father. The son was not injured.Sadly, despite extensive CPR efforts the man was declared deceased by paramedics.Police have opened an inquest docket. The body of the deceased man has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services. Family of the deceased man are being assisted by trauma counsellors.TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONESMS 32287 (R1/SMS) with your name and a message of support for our Sea Rescue crew