A 12 year old girl deceased. A man is missing.

MONWABISI: A 34 year old local man is missing. A 12 year old local girl succumbed to fatal drowning.

Nicky Whitehead, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said:
 
At 18h45, Saturday, 23 November, NSRI Strandfontein duty crew and CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Monwabisi Beach, False Bay.
 
NSRI Strandfontein rescue swimmers, an NSRI Strandfontein rescue vehicle, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services and WC Government Health EMS, responded directly to the scene while NSRI Strandfontein launched the NSRI rescue craft Grand West CSI.
 
The SA Police Services and CoCT Law Enforcement were alerted.
 
On arrival on the scene, it was found that a female child, believed to be age 12, had reportedly been brought onto the beach unresponsive and one man, believed to be age 34, was missing in the surf zone.
 
It appears that the man had attempted to rescue the girl after she was reportedly caught in rip currents but then he got into difficulties before disappearing in the water.
 
The man and the girl that he had tried rescue are not related.
 
The girl was transported to hospital, reportedly by private transport, but she was sadly declared deceased on arrival at hospital, she had succumbed to fatal drowning.
 
Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing man.
 
Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services), assisted by an EMS Metro Rescue drone Search and Rescue unit, are continuing in an ongoing search.
 
NSRI Strandfontein, CoCT lifeguards, Monwabisi Surf lifeguards, EMS Metro Rescue and CoCT Law Enforcement are tasked to assist Police divers in the ongoing search.
 
Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased child.
 
Police have opened an Inquest docket.
 
Thoughts, care and compassion are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time.