Notices
Today at approximately 18h00 CWR responded to a drowning incident at St Georges beach. A 10 year old boy was swimming with his friends and got into difficulty. CWR, Bluewater Bay drowning prevention, BWB lifesaving members, SAPS, Beach Office and NSRI were on scene. CWR rescue swimmers and the BWB lifesavers (on the jetski) did a thorough search of the area where the young boy was last seen. Strong currrents and the sand bank made the search area large. Due to fading light the search was eventually called off. The search will resume at first light tomorrow morning. Condolences to the family.
At 14:33 the emergency services was notified of a drowning in progress at Van Stadens Resort, sea side and not the river. The squad was immediately activated to respond, on arrival at the resort a stand down notice was received as the patient was out of the water. Two girls, ages estimated 17/18 years old got into difficulty in the sea, the one managed to get out and ran for help. The Van Stadens Resort Lifeguards were notified and immediately sprang into action by responding and sounding the alarm for additional help. The girl who was still in difficulty eventually managed to get out some distance from where she went in. Well done to the resort life guards for their quick response. On scene was SAPS, EMS, EMS Aeromed3 Chopper and Beach Office.
Today at 13:27 CWR was notified of a drowning incident in the St Albans area. An adult male went swimming in a farm dam and disapeared under the water shortly after entering. CWR did not activate the entire squad but sent a swimmer and road crew member. On arrival it was established that it had happened at least 30-40 minutes prior to arrival. Our rescue swimmer entered the water and did a search, but the conditions in the dam was not conducive to allow a search and CWR stood down. The SAPS K9 Search & Rescue Unit took over the scene, and the body of the victim was recovered from the dam. On scene was SAPS, SAPS K9 S&R, EMS, EMS Rescue Units, SAPS Helicopter and CWR.
At 15:16 today a second notice was received of a drowning in progress. A youth was spotted in trouble just off Smelly Creek. CWR activated, together with BWBLSC, EMS, EMS Rescue, SAPS, SAPS K9 S&R, Beach Office and the NSRI. A CWR member joined on the BWBLSC jetski and started a search immediately, and another CWR swimmer was deployed to the water to establish the flow of the currents, with the remainder of the swimmer remaining on standby on the side. The search was soon joined by the Beach Office rescue duck, 6A + 6B from the NSRI and the SAPS chopper. An extensive search of the area proved fruitless and the scene was handed over to the SAPS. The body of the victim remains missing.
Tonight at 8.10pm a message came through from NSRI that there are two dogs in distress in the quarry in Westering, they had members on scene and needed assistance. Although not sure what assistance could be given two of our members went to assist and investigate before requesting more CWR members to come help. They arrived with the Fire Department and together with the Fire Department staff made their way down into the quarry where the NSRI members were already busy with attempts to reach the two dachshunds.
They were being walked by the owner down into the quarry area, and possibly chased after something into the rocks and builders, disappeared underneath, and got stuck. When attempts to call them out failed the owner went and called for help as there were in quite deep. After a lot of digging at about 9.30pm the members of Sea Rescue Port Elizabeth managed to get the one out, and eventually at 10.10pm did they manage to hook the other one with a piece of wire. Well done chaps, this is really what they call beyond the call of duty.
On scene was the Fire Department, EMS Rescue, NSRI, Mountain Club and CWR members.
Coastal Water Rescue road crew members responded to a call earlier to assist with a landing zone at 3 Pools, Willows Resort after receiving a report of a drowning incident. Unfortunately resuscitation attempts by EMS medics were not successful. Our condolences to the family and friends. Despite the circumstances well done to the all the emergency services for the quick response to the scene, EMS Aeromed3 Chopper, EMS ambulance and rescue vehicle, Beach Office, CWR, NSRI, SAPS, Fire Department, Relay EMS and Gardmed.
Tonight at 18:07 a report come through of a drowning in progress in the Kwa Nobuhle area in the river. The Coastal Water Rescue squad was activated to respond. On arrival it was established that the two young children were swimming in the river when one encountered difficulty, and the friend ran for help. Unfortunately the victim had been under water for some time and a search was initiated. The body of a young victim was recovered from the river by the SAPS Dive Unit. On scene were CWR, EMS, SAPS, SAPS Dive Unit and the Beach Office. Our condolenses to the friends and family of the young victim.
Tonight at approximately 8pm the NSRI received reports of flare sightings in the vicinity of Shark Rock Pier, and shortly after launched their rescue craft Rescue 6A to investigate. CWR activated available members to proceed to the shore of the area to provide shore and ground support. It was established after investigation by the Sea Rescue craft and the CWR members on the shore that the sighting was a false alarm, and was probably Chinese/sky lanterns.
Further information about these lanterns here:
http://www.nsri.org.za/2012/03/sea-rescue-asks-people-not-to-use-sky-lanterns/
