Man drowns saving his daughter - Ballito

At 17h13, Sunday, 11 September, NSRI Ballito duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Thompsons tidal pool, Ballito.

NSRI rescue swimmers, IPSS medical rescue, Netcare 911 ambulance services and Medi-Response rescue services responded.

On arrival the scene it was found that an adult male had entered the water to save his daughter, believed to be aged approximately 8, who it appears she may have been swept off the rocks near to the tidal pool during the Spring high tide.

He was able to push his daughter towards the shore to safety where she was recovered by family members on the shore.

It appears that during these efforts to save his daughter he was pulled out to sea by rip currents and he may have sustained head injuries in the process.

NSRI found 2 Medi-Response rescue members and an IPSS medical rescue member already in the water heading out towards the casualty who could be seen in difficulties in the mid break surf line.

An NSRI rescue swimmer, accompanied with an NSRI pink rescue buoy, entered the water.

The 2 Medi-Response rescue members, the NSRI rescue swimmers and the IPSS rescue member were able to reach the casualty in the mid break surf line and rescue him to the shore.

On the beach paramedics commenced with CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts on the man.

After all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted sadly he was declared deceased.

Family were taken into the care of Medi-Response rescue services and into the care of a counsellor that was arranged for the family.

SA Police Services attended at the scene and the body of the deceased man was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

Condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased man.