Drowning Incidents – 3 January, We Were There!

We, as a family, arrived at the Maitlands Beach just as Paramedics were leaving following the drowning incident of a young 12 year-old girl. At the time we were unaware of the tragedy that had just unfolded on the beach.

Looking back:

Packed bronzed beachgoers
Vehicles of many hues
Silver Audi Quatro churning up sand

Four Black Abayas joined in Silent Grief
Two policemen in Dark Blue stand sentry
One Bright Blue body bag resting on Golden Sand

Despair on the faces of the mourners
Multi hued circle of onlookers
Orange and Red lifesaver flags beckon to the safe bathing area

One bright Orange Stokes Basket
Two mortuary workers in neon yellow and orange
One dark procession off the sand

One white van leaves
One tragic soul hovers unsure of what next
Family shattered as they contemplate; “What if?”

Justin Erasmus, NSRI Gqeberha station commander, said: At 13h27, 2 January, NSRI Gqeberha duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Deal Light, Gqeberha / (Deal Party Lighthouse).

An NSRI Gqeberha rescue craft was dispatched and commenced a search for a (believed to be) 7 year old male child reported to be missing in the surf zone.

It was reported that the child went missing in the surf zone while swimming.

Despite an extensive search no signs of the child were located.

The SA Police Services attended at the scene and are investigating.

During this incident, NSRI Gqeberha and the NMB (Nelson Mandela Bay) water rescue network were activated to respond to Maitland’s Beach following reports of a drowning in progress.

NSRI rescue swimmers, the SA Police Services, the NMB Beach office, CWR (Coastal Water Rescue) and Relay EMS ambulance services responded.

An NMB Beach Office jet ski was launched.

On arrival on the scene a 12 year old female (believed to be a local child) was found to have been recovered from the water and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were commenced by paramedics.

Despite extensive CPR efforts, after all efforts to resuscitate the girl were exhausted sadly she was declared deceased.

The body of the child was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased child.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

There remain unconfirmed reports of another 2 persons suspected to have gone missing in the surf zone at Maitland’s Beach at the same time. A search revealed no signs of any missing persons and there remains no reports of anyone missing.

Police are monitoring.

Police K9 Search and Rescue and the SA Police Services are investigating and are continuing in a search related to the 7 year old suspected to be missing at Deal Light, Gqeberha.