Alan Meiklejohn, NSRI Gordons Bay station commander, said: At 11h09, Saturday, 29 January, NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew and GB Med ambulance services were activated following reports from CoCT (City of Cape Town) lifeguards at Gordons Bay Main Beach of a drowning in progress.
The CoCT water rescue network was activated and CoCT Law Enforcement, the SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS and ER24 ambulance services also responded.
The sea rescue craft Boetie Woltemade was launched.
On arrival on the scene lifeguards had initiated a search for a local 10 year old female missing in the surf.
Reportedly she had been swimming with her brother when she may have waded too deep into the water and her brother raised the alarm.
NSRI and emergency services joined in the search and the child was located and recovered from the water approximately 50 meters across the beach line from where she had been in the water.
CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were commenced and the child was transported to hospital by ER24 ambulance in a critical condition with CPR continuing to be administered in the ambulance.
At a local hospital doctors and nurses continued with CPR efforts but sadly after all efforts to resuscitate the child were exhausted she was declared deceased by doctors.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
Condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased child.
Allegations relating to Minister Albert Fritz are of a serious sexual misconduct