Rieghard Janse van Rensburg, NSRI Jeffreys Bay station commander, said; “At 10h13 on Saturday 10 March 2012, NSRI Jeffreys Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports from the SA Police Force of a man reported to be in difficulty in the surf in front of the Kabaljous Caravan Park, Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape.
“Our NSRI Jeffreys Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew prepared to launch our sea rescue craft while an NSRI Jeffreys Bay volunteer responded directly to the scene and Eastern Cape Government Health: EMS and the SA Police Force responded.
“On arrival on-scene a 65 year old man believed to be from the United Kingdom, reportedly on his first day of holiday visiting family in South Africa, was found on the beach and bystanders had initiated Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts.
“Our NSRI volunteer took over performing CPR with the bystanders continuing to assist.
“Eastern Cape Government Health EMS paramedics arrived on-scene and continued with CPR but after all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted on-scene he was declared dead.
“The body of the man has been handed into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services and Police have opened an inquest docket.
“It is suspected that the man may have died from drowning but an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
“The family of the deceased man are receiving counseling from the Police trauma counsellors.
“According to family the man was swimming when he appeared to be in difficulty in the surf before disappearing in the surf. He was then spotted floating face down in the water and bystanders, including a fisherman, raced into the water and managed to bring him to shore before initiating bystander CPR.
“The British Consulate and South African Authorities are assisting the family.
“The name of the man has not been released and Police are dealing with the matter.”
