Nicolette Whitehead, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said: At 16h40, Sunday, 20 September, NSRI Strandfontein duty crew were activated following reports from CoCT (City of Cape Town) Law Enforcement marine unit and multiple eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at S-Bend, near to Mnandi Beach, False Bay.
NSRI rescue swimmers, our NSRI rescue vehicle, the SA Police Service, Cape Town DRM (Disaster Risk Management), Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, WC Government Health EMS, CoCT Law Enforcement and Law Enforcement marine unit and Life Healthcare response paramedics responded.
Our NSRI rescue craft Rotarian Wares, on the water nearby at the time, diverted to respond to the scene.
CoCT water rescue network was alerted.
On NSRI crew arriving on the scene we found 2 casualties out of the water on the beach where NSRI crew initiated CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts on both males and were joined on the scene by Law Enforcement, rescue services, paramedics and Police.
Despite extensive CPR efforts, after all efforts to resuscitate the 2 males were exhausted, sadly both men were declared deceased by paramedics.
It appears that a group of locals were swimming together in shallow surf when members of the group discovered that 2 males, of their group, were face down in the water and they were recovered to the shore and the alarm was raised.
The bodies of the 2 men, a 37 year old, from Nyanga, and a 42 year old, from Philippi, were taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Condolences are conveyed to the families of the 2 men.
Police have opened an Inquest docket.
