Notice

02Jan2025 - Drowning Maitlands Beach

Today at 13:24, while responding to an incident at Smelly Creek, a second call was received from Gardmed reporting a drowning in progress at Maitlands Beach. Some squad members were redirected to Maitlands instead of continuing to Smelly Creek.

Before their arrival, an update indicated that a casualty had been pulled from the water and CPR was in progress. However, beachgoers reported that there were three casualties involved, with only one retrieved from the water. Sadly, the CPR efforts were unsuccessful.

The team immediately initiated a water search in the area indicated, with assistance from the Beach Office's jetski, which was also conducting a search. After approximately 30 minutes, the water search was called off, and the squad shifted to a shallower shoreline search of the area and its surroundings. At this time, no eyewitnesses could be located, and no one on the scene could confirm whether additional casualties were unaccounted for.

RelayEMS, SAPS, the SAPS Dive Unit, Metro EMS Rescue, and the Metro EMS Chopper responded to the incident.

Coastal Water Rescue is staffed by volunteers and funded by donations. Can you help us? Please visit https://www.cwrescue.co.za/support-us for more info.