Lifeguards recover body following tragic drowning incidents on KZN South Coast
GLIMMER OF HOPE
Fish Hoek Beach lifeguards, from left, Amber van der Byl, Kate Becker, Rogan Krog, and Nikolas Balden have been praised for their response which saved the lives of a child and relative being swept out to sea.
Image: Supplied
Lifesaving South Africa has expressed its profound condolences to the families grieving the loss of their loved ones over the past weekend, following a series of tragic drowning incidents and severe flooding along the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) South Coast.
On Saturday, lifeguards recovered the body of a 17-year-old who had been swept away on Umdloti Beach three days prior. The family confirmed the identity of the young man. Fears are rising for two other youngsters who went missing at the Wild Coast.
The alarming trend of fatal drownings escalated over the weekend, exacerbated by severe flooding that affected isolated inland areas and waterways. On Sunday evening, heavy rains unleashed devastating floods across the South Coast, leading to additional drownings and reports of missing persons. By Monday midday, Lifesaving South Africa confirmed at least two fatalities directly linked to flood events in the Lower South Coast region.
As emergency services grappled with the chaos, Police Search and Rescue teams were deployed to find three individuals whose vehicle was swept away in Amanzimtoti during the flooding. The mounting pressure on emergency services was palpable, as they also responded to multiple incidents and conducted recovery operations from rivers in Gauteng, with SAPS still awaiting further authorities to clarify additional cases.
Mop-up operations continue on the KZN South Coast after severe flooding.
Image: Ugu District Municipality
Amidst the heartache, there was also a glimmer of hope. On the same day, volunteer lifesavers performed a remarkable rescue at Fish Hoek Beach. A 10-year-old child, caught in a rip current and swept out to sea, prompted an adult family friend to jump in and help. Both individuals soon found themselves in peril. Lifeguards, equipped with Rescue Tube Buoys (RTBs), rushed to their aid, returning both safely to shore just before they would have submerged. After the rescue, they were assessed and recommended for further evaluation at a local hospital.
Commending the lifesaving heroes, Dhaya Sewduth, Media Director of Lifesaving South Africa, praised the duty squad at Fish Hoek Beach — Amber van der Byl, Kate Becker, Rogan Krog, and Nikolas Balden — for their timely and effective response that undoubtedly saved lives. Sewduth reiterated the critical importance of swimming only in designated areas monitored by lifeguards, emphasising that venturing into unmonitored waters poses significant risks to safety.
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