17-year-old boy dies in swimming accident; 7-year-old rescued

A 17-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty while swimming near Hermanus New Harbour on Tuesday, while a seven-year-old survived a non-fatal drowning in Kleinmond later the same day.

NSRI Hermanus station commander Edrich Kotze said crews were activated at 1.27pm following reports of a drowning in progress on the cliff path.

“On NSRI crew arriving on the scene we joined paramedics conducting CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts on a local 17-year-old male.”

“After all efforts to resuscitate the teenager were exhausted sadly he was declared deceased by paramedics.”

The teen’s body was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services. Police have opened an inquest docket.

“Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased teenager.”

It appears the teen “got into difficulty while swimming” before his friends carried him to the cliff path and raised the alarm.

Hours later, NSRI Kleinmond responded to a separate report of a non-fatal drowning at 5.20pm in the vicinity of Main Beach, Kleinmond.

NSRI Kleinmond station commander Schalk Boonzaaier said, “On arrival on the scene, it was found that a local 7 year male was out the water after suffering a non-fatal drowning in the Kleinmond Lagoon.”

The child was treated on scene and transported to hospital “in a stable condition for further medical care”.

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Cape Argus