Father dies trying to save son from rip currents at Wilderness beach

A local father died while trying to save his teenage son from rip currents at Leentjiesklip Beach in Wilderness yesterday afternoon (October 24), reports the George Herald.

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), two teenage boys were caught in rip currents while swimming at the beach. Both their fathers entered the water in an attempt to rescue them.

The two families, one local and the other from Germany, are friends.

NSRI Wilderness station commander Jonathan Britton said rescue crews were activated at 17:31 after reports of a drowning in progress.

NSRI rescue swimmers, the South African Police Service (SAPS), Western Cape Government Health EMS, ER24 ambulance services and George Fire and Rescue Services responded.

One of the teenagers, a 14-year-old boy from Germany, managed to reach the beach unaided, where NSRI medics attended to him.

An NSRI rescue swimmer entered the water to assist the remaining teenager and the two fathers, who were still in distress in the surf.

Two NSRI rescue craft, Ann Stratford and Oscars Rescuer, were also launched.

The German father and the local teenager were rescued and brought to shore, where they received medical attention.

The local father was found unresponsive in the water and brought to the beach. NSRI medics immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), with paramedics joining the efforts to save him.

Despite extensive resuscitation attempts, he was declared dead at the scene.

The surviving father and both teenagers were transported to hospital by ER24 and were recovering under medical care, according to the NSRI statement issued on Sunday, 25 October.

The deceased man’s body was handed over to SAPS and Western Cape Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

George police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the drowning.

The tragedy follows other incidents involving dangerous currents at Leentjiesklip and nearby Wilderness beaches.

In January this year, an Austrian tourist drowned at Leentjiesklip after being caught in a rip current while swimming with two other people. Despite resuscitation efforts, he died in hospital.

In October 2022, two boys and their father were caught in a rip current at Leentjiesklip. A coordinated rescue involving NSRI crew members and beachgoers brought the family safely to shore.

In February 2020, three men were pulled out to sea by a rip current while swimming at the beach. Bystanders helped bring them to safety, and they were treated for minor injuries.

The NSRI has repeatedly warned beachgoers about the dangers of rip currents, which can pull swimmers away from shore and make it difficult to swim back to safety.

The NSRI has extended its condolences to the deceased man’s family and friends.

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Read original story on www.georgeherald.com

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