Boyfriend's heroic rescue attempt fails to save woman at Tietiesbaai
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) confirmed the drowning of a woman off the shoreline of Tietiesbaai on the West Coast.
Image: File
A 26-year-old Paternoster woman has drowned after being swept into rough seas while fishing at Tietiesbaai in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred at approximately 15:47 when she lost her footing on shoreline rocks and fell into turbulent surf conditions.
In a desperate act of bravery, her 26-year-old boyfriend immediately jumped into the dangerous surf to save her, while a third companion rushed to call for help. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, with SA Police Services, Western Cape Government Health EMS, and West Coast Medical Rescue arriving first.
Paramedics treated the boyfriend, who was found in a serious condition after his rescue attempt. He was transported to hospital by West Coast Medical Rescue ambulance, where he is currently recovering. NSRI St Helena Bay and NSRI Mykonos duty crews were activated following initial reports of a possible boat capsize, which was later confirmed to be incorrect.
The NSRI St Helena Bay team launched their rescue craft, Rotary Onwards, while NSRI Mykonos dispatched a rescue vehicle to join Police and EMS Metro Rescue at the scene. In a coordinated search effort, a private drone operator assisted rescue teams by scanning the surf zone for the missing woman. The drone successfully located her in the water, guiding the NSRI rescue craft to her position. Crew members recovered her from the water and immediately began resuscitation efforts.
Despite these attempts, the rescue craft brought the woman to St Helena Bay harbour where EMS paramedics boarded and sadly declared her deceased. Police have opened an inquest docket, and the body was taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
"Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased woman," said an NSRI spokesperson.
The NSRI regularly advises coastal visitors to remain vigilant near shorelines, wear appropriate safety gear when fishing from rocks, and to be aware of incoming tides and changing weather conditions.
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Cape Argus