Incidents at Wilderness and Victoria Bay, including a fatal drowning

Another fatal drowning on the Garden Route after strong rip currents

At 14h24, Tuesday, 27 December, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following reports from George Municipal lifeguards who had launched a search at Victoria Bay for an adult male that they suspected to have gone missing in the surf line while swimming.

The NSRI rescue craft Ann Stratford and Spirit of Rotary were launched while George Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene with their rescue craft jet-rib.

The 2 NSRI rescue craft and the Fire and Rescue Services craft joined lifeguards at Victoria Bay in an extensive search that has revealed no sign of a male swimmer who lifeguards suspected may have disappeared under water while swimming.

No persons on the beach reported anyone missing until later when friends of a 26 year old George male came forward reporting that they had not seen their friend for some time at the beach, unsure if he had returned from swimming and they were uncertain if he may have left the beach to go home.

A Police patrol vehicle investigated at an address in George where Police officers found no one in attendance at the residence.

Police returned to the address later and after the man had still not returned home an investigation is ongoing by Police who are following up on leads.

While activating to this incident George Municipal lifeguards at Wilderness Main Beach responded to a drowning in progress where three family members, from George, were caught in rip currents.

Lifeguards rescued a young teenage male from the mid surf breakers bringing him safely to shore. He was not injured.

Lifeguards reached a 16 year old female in the mid surf breakers finding her unresponsive they initiated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts while bringing her to shore where lifeguards and NSRI Wilderness medics continued with emergency medical treatment.

Lifeguards reached a 10 year old female in the mid surf breakers finding her unresponsive.

Lifeguards rescued the female to the beach where NSRI rescue swimmers and a public member assisted the lifeguards to bring the teenager out of the water.
CPR was continued by lifeguards, NSRI medics and WC Government Health EMS paramedics.

The SA Police Services and George Municipal Law Enforcement officers assisted with crowd control, support and logistics.

Members of the public rallied around to assist and support the emergency services on the scene.

After extensive efforts to resuscitate the 10 year old girl were exhausted she was sadly declared deceased.

The 16 year old was stabilised on the scene before being transported to hospital, by EMS ambulance, in a serious but stable condition. NSRI are informed that she is expected to fully recover in hospital in the care of doctors and nurses.

The body of the 10 year old child has been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased child.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

Public members at Wilderness Beach are commended for their assistance and support on the scene.