Port Edward – Fatal drowning. A man missing. A female treated for injuries

NSRI Port Edward duty crew responded to The Pont swimming pool following reports of bystander CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts being conducted by bystanders on an 8 year old female.

Gert du Plessis, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said:

Bystanders had rescued the female from the water and they initiated CPR and raised the alarm.

On arrival on the scene NSRI medics, assisted by 2 bystanders, a male and a female, who are proficient in CPR, continued with CPR efforts which were joined by Advanced Life Support paramedics from Kwazulu private ambulance services.

A heart beat was restored by paramedics, assisted by NSRI medics and the 2 bystanders, on the scene and the child was transported to hospital in a critical condition by Kwazulu private ambulance where hospital staff, doctors and nurses continued with extensive resuscitation efforts.

Sadly the child succumbed to fatal drowning injuries and was declared deceased by doctors.

Condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased child.

In another incident, at 17h36, NSRI were activated to reports of a drowning in progress at Splash Rock where an unidentified man had been washed off rocks by waves.

A sea rescue craft was launched, NSRI rescue swimmers and Police Search and Rescue responded.

Despite an extensive search there remains no sign of the man.

Police Search and Rescue, assisted by NSRI Port Edward, are continuing in a search and investigations to determine the identity of the man.

Earlier in the day, at 10h28, a 27 year old female suffered a medical condition on rocks on the shoreline at TO Strand.

NSRI Port Edward rescue crew and local lifeguards attended to her on the rocks, in a barely accessible location, where she was treated for a medical condition and loaded onto a stretcher and removed over rocks, through a river and across the beach, to a local resort where Med-Evac ambulance services and Kwazulu private ambulance services took over medical care.

She was transported to hospital by Kwazulu private ambulance in a stable condition.