An Austrian national has drowned at Plettenberg Bay despite extensive efforts to save his life.
The National Sea Rescue Institute at Plettenberg Bay said that its “duty crew were activated to respond Sunday to Robberg 5 Beach following reports of a drowning in progress”.
NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said Bitou Municipal lifeguards, the NSRI sea rescue craft Airlink Rescuer and Ray Farnham, NSRI rescue swimmers, the SA Police Services, Medlife ambulance services and our NSRI station doctor responded.
“A 51 year old Austrian man was rescued from the water and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) efforts were commenced on the man on the beach and these efforts were assisted by a Canadian doctor and by a German doctor who happened to be on the beach at the time,” he said.
“Despite extensive CPR efforts sadly the man was declared deceased and the body of the man has been taken into the care of the Police and the Forensic Pathology Services and Police have opened an inquest docket,” Lambinon said.
He said counsellor services are being provided to the wife of the deceased man and Tourism officials and the Austrian Consulate is assisting.
