Austrian man drowns at Wilderness beach

An Austrian man is sadly deceased following a fatal-drowning accident at Wilderness on Saturday.

At 15h00, Saturday, 31 January, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Leentjiesklip Beach, Wilderness.

On duty George Municipal NSRI lifeguards had gone to the assistance of three swimmers, 2 males and a female, who were caught in rip currents.

NSRI rescue swimmers, additional George Municipal NSRI lifeguards, WC Government Health EMS, George Fire and Rescue Services, George Municipal Law Enforcement officers and the SA Police Services responded.

The NSRI rescue craft JetRIB Ann Stratford was launched.

On arrival on the scene George Municipal NSRI lifeguards were in the water assisting the 3 persons who were caught in rip currents. NSRI rescue swimmers and additional George Municipal NSRI lifeguards entered the water to assist in the rescue.

The female, age 19, initially caught in rip currents while swimming with her male friend, she assisted in the rescue - she was not injured.

A local 21 year old male (A student of a University in Cape Town, who is the friend of the female teenager) he was assisted in the surf-zone by George Municipal NSRI lifeguards and he was recovered onto the NSRI rescue craft and he was brought to shore - he was not injured.

A 49 year old Austrian male tourist was assisted in the surf-zone by George Municipal NSRI lifeguards, and NSRI rescue swimmers, and bystander Good Samaritans, who were swimming nearby at the time, and assisted with the help of the female teenager (who had initially also been caught in the rip currents).

Together they rescued the man to the beach where CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts commenced and were joined by paramedics.

The man was transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a critical condition - after a feint pulse had been restored - with resuscitation efforts continuing in the ambulance en route to hospital.

Despite extensive resuscitation efforts continuing in hospital in the care of doctors and nurses, after all efforts to stabilise the man were exhausted, during Saturday night the man was sadly declared deceased by doctors.

Thoughts and care are with the Austrian family abroad, the Austrian friend of the deceased man and the owners and staff of their holiday accommodation.

Assistance and logistics are being cared for by NSRI, the Austrian Consulate and local Southern Cape Tourism Assist, in cooperation with Police care.

An Inquest docket has been opened by Police.

It appears that near to the peak of the Spring high tide, on Saturday afternoon, the 3 swimmers, the 21 year old man and his 19 year old female friend, and the Austrian 49 year old man, were caught in rip currents while swimming, when the alarm was raised.

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