Mark Harlen, NSRI Shelly Beach station commander, said; “At 12h02 on Saturday 4 February, NSRI Shelly Beach volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a double drowning in progress just North of the Umzimkulu River Mouth, Port Shepstone
“Our NSRI Shelly Beach volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft Discovery Rescue Runner and our rescue vehicle towed our sea rescue craft Le Genmar which was launched on-scene and the SA Police Services, Medivac ambulance service, a Police helicopter and a Police Search and Rescue Squad responded to join SA Lifesaving lifeguards on-scene.
“On arrival on-scene a search commenced for two persons believed to be a husband and wife that eye-witnesses had reported seeing in ankle deep water, close to the shores edge on the beach, when, according to the eye-witnesses, it appeared that the sand in the water caved in leaving both in deeper water before they both appeared to be swept out to sea. Eye-witnesses gave further accounts saying that it appeared that neither of the two could swim before they both disappeared under water.
“During the search the man, a 27 year old, washed up on the beach and was recovered by Police Search and Rescue members and declared dead on-scene by paramedics and later the body of the female was located by Police members in the Police helicopter who guided Police officers on the beach and our sea rescue craft to the location of the body, in the surf-line about 10 meters off-shore, and the female was recovered by police officers on the beach and was then also declared dead by paramedics.
“The age of the female was not known at this stage and Police were attempting to identify the two people who are believed to be from the Eastern Cape and to locate their families.
“Police have opened an inquest docket.”
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