Fatal drowning at Wolfgat Nature Reserve and 2 non-fatal drowning patients, from the same incident, transported to hospital

Vaughn Seconds, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said:At 16h34, Wednesday, 09th January, Cape Town Water Rescue Network were alerted by CoCT Pro Lifesaving lifeguards reporting to be on the scene at Wolfgat Nature Reserve and performing CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts on a 29 year old man and providing medical care to a 13 year old girl and a man, believed to be aged in his 30's. Lifeguards were requesting medical assistance.NSRI Station 16 Strandfontein, WC Government Health EMS, Life Health Care response paramedics and CoCT Law Enforcement and the Law Enforcement Marine Unit and the SA Police Services responded.Despite extensive efforts by paramedics to resuscitate the 29 year old man, sadly he has been declared deceased on the scene.The 13 year old girl, believed to be a disabled person, and the man aged in his 30's were transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in serious but stable conditions suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms.It appears that the teenage girl had been swimming when she got into difficulty. The 29 year old man was believed to have gone to her assistance but he got into difficulty and the man aged in his 30's also went into the surf to assist but he also reportedly got into difficulty.According to reports an unidentified man went into the surf and was able to assist them from the water but he had left the scene before his details could be obtained.The 29 year old man was breathless and pulseless.CoCT Pro Lifesaving lifeguards at Monwabisi Beach had been alerted to the incident by members of the public and they responded. On their arriving on the scene they initiated CPR on the 29 year old man, medical care to the girl and to the man aged in his 30's and the alarm was raised.The body of the deceased man has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services and Police have opened an inquest docket.Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man.