Wolfgat Nature Reserve – 1 man rescued and 1 man missing

At 14h33, Wednesday, 27 October, the City of Cape Town (CoCT) water rescue network were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Wolfgat Nature Reserve. CoCT Law Enforcement Marine Unit, CoCT lifeguards, NSRI Strandfontein, WC Government Health EMS, Life Healthcare response paramedics, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, CoCT Metro Police, the SA Police Services, CoCT Environmental Management rangers and the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter responded.

On arrival on the scene, between Wolfgat Nature Reserve and Monwabisi, on a remote stretch of coastline, a 32-year-old male, believed to be from Tafelsig, was found injured on the beach suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms. It is believed that he was rescued from the water by public members and CoCT lifeguards and Law Enforcement Marine Unit officers initiated medical treatment on the man.

The injured man was taken into the care of paramedics and following a thorough medical assessment he was released on the scene.

A 28-year-old male, from Tafelsig, is reported to be missing.

Eyewitnesses on the scene confirmed that the 28-year-old male was seen in the water before disappearing.

We believe that the 2 men were swimming when they got into difficulty in the water.

The NSRI sea rescue craft Sharon, the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter and emergency services resources on the shoreline conducted an extensive sea, air and shoreline search but no sign of the missing man has been found and a Police Dive Unit will continue in an ongoing search operation.

Our thoughts are with the family of the missing man in this difficult time.