Hermanus – Fatal drowning

Andre Barnard, NSRI Hermanus station commander, said:A 66 year old Cape Town man has drowned after being swept away by currents at Grotto East at the lagoon mouth, near to Hermanus.It appears that the man had been walking at the lagoon with his daughter and his grandson when he and the grandson may have waded in shallow water along the shore of the lagoon before being caught in currents.The lagoon had broken its banks last week in heavy rainfall.The man was assisted to shore by his daughter and by a bystander and the child waded ashore.On getting the man to the shore bystander CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were initiated and NSRI Hermanus duty crew, WC Government Health EMS, CMC ambulance services and the SA Police Services were activated.An NSRI Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic was able to reach them on the other side of the lagoon where sadly the man was declared deceased.The 9 year old child was not injured.The body of the man has been taken into the care of WC Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.Police have opened an inquest docket.Condolences are conveyed to the family.NSRI commend the efforts of family and bystanders on the scene.