SEA RESCUE – Richards Bay – Saturday, 21 December. Fatal drowning

At 15h46, Saturday, 21st December, NSRI Richards Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning at the Bay Hall area.

Police Search and Rescue and SA Police Services were en route and NSRI Richards Bay, who were in the vicinity at the time, and Alkastrand Surf Lifesaving lifeguards, responded.

On arrival on the scene it was found that a 6-year-old girl had been located unresponsive in the water reportedly by a lady on a surfboard.

The lady had rescued the child to the shoreline and assisted by a member of the public they initiated bystander CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and responding Alkastrand Surf Lifesaving lifeguards took over CPR efforts.

NSRI medics arriving on the scene continued with extensive resuscitation efforts and were joined by KZN Government Health EMS paramedics.

Despite extensive CPR efforts, after all efforts to resuscitate the child were exhausted, sadly the child was declared deceased.

The body of the child has been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

On behalf of all emergency services involved Condolences are conveyed to family of the deceased child.

TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE