Tragedy Strikes in Natures Valley: Two Children Drown in Lagoon Incident

NSRI Plettenberg Bay STATION 14 duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Natures Valley Lagoon, Grootrivier, Natures Valley, Plettenberg Bay.

Natures Valley NSRI Coastwatcher’s were activated.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded in the NSRI rescue vehicle while NSRI rescue swimmers, nearby to the scene, responded in their private vehicles.

2 NSRI rescue craft were launched. Using the Spring high tide both rescue craft were able to navigate the Lagoon Mouth to enter into the lagoon.

An NSRI Plettenberg Bay ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle), stationed at Natures Valley, was dispatched.

SA Police Services (SAPS), SAPS Water Policing and Dive Services, WC Government Health EMS and Plettenberg Bay First Responders responded.

It was reported that three local male children, believed to be aged 8 and 10, were on a kayak on the lagoon when they got into difficulty. One child reached the shore to raise the alarm.

On arrival on the scene a child was located and recovered from the water. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were commenced but after all efforts to resuscitate the child were exhausted sadly he was declared deceased.

NSRI Natures Valley Coastwatcher’s were instrumental in quickly evaluating and directing responding resources while assisting on the scene.

During a search the second child was located and recovered from the water but sadly the child was declared deceased.

A counsellor assisted the surviving child who was then taken into the care of his parents.

The bodies of the two deceased children were taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased children.

NSRI EMERGENCY: 0870949774.