MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

German tourist in near drowning incident

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At 14h00 on Thursday 26 February, NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew were activated by a member of the public reporting that a person was in distress, being swept out to sea, at Cape St Francis main beach.

A female German tourist had been swimming in relatively calm seas in the surf when she was caught in a rip-current.

NSRI St Francis Bay Duty Coxswain Marc May and NSRI Medics were activated to Cape St Francis main beach, at the same time requesting the assistance of Paramedics from Private Care Ambulance Service, Humansdorp.

Apparently, assisted by her husband and others in a tour group, the victim managed to get back to the beach but was exhausted and suffering breathing difficulties with near drowning symptoms.

On arrival at the scene the casualty, Marthina Wondra, 47, from Germany, was found to be lying on the beach at the waters edge exhausted and with breathing difficulties.

NSRI medics treated the patient, monitored her condition and wrapped her in blankets to keep her warm awaiting Paramedics arrival.

NSRI St Francis Bay crew assisted with the extraction of the patient from the beach and transferred the patient to a Private Care ambulance in a stable condition.

The Paramedics stabilised the patient on the scene and transported the patient to hospital for further observation for secondary drowning effects.

It appears that Ms Wondra had swam out too far and not realised a rip-current where they had chosen to swim.

The tour group operator, also of Germany, raised the alarm.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.