La Mercy – Fatal drowning

Quentin Power, NSRI Ballito station commander, said:At 15h10, Monday, 5 April, NSRI Ballito duty crew, Netcare 911 ambulance services, Ethekwini Municipal lifeguards, SA Police Services, KZN Government Health EMS, local C.E.R.T (Community Emergency Response Team) members and Ethekwini Metro Police responded to reports of a drowning in progress at La Mercy Lagoon.On arrival on the scene Netcare 911 paramedics found a 6 year old male child on the shore and bystander CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were underway.The child had reportedly been located lifeless in the water by bystanders who recovered the child to the shore where bystander CPR commenced.C.E.R.T. members arriving on the scene assisted with CPR.Netcare 911 paramedics, including a Netcare 911 emergency care practitioner, continued with advanced life support CPR and they were joined by EMS paramedics, NSRI and lifeguards.Despite extensive CPR efforts the child has sadly been declared deceased.The body of the child has been taken into the care of Police and KZN Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.Police have opened an inquest docket.Condolences are conveyed to the family.