First drownings of the summer season

IN two separate drowning incidents on Sunday, two people lost their lives, one a 10-year-old child.

The first incident occurred at about midday in Dlanguba near Empangeni.

A 39-year-old man reportedly swam from one side of the lake to the other and came into difficulty when he attempted to swim back.

The water was cold and, while he was not hypothermic, it is suspected that he cramped up.

He was pronounced dead on scene.

In the second incident, just after 1.30pm, three children aged 10, seven and six came into difficulty when swimming in the Blind Canal near Bay Hall in Richards Bay.

A jet-skier in the vicinity rescued the two younger children, who were brought to shore and subsequently treated by paramedics.

The jet-skier then went over to the NSRI base and alerted duty coxwain Jacques Kruger of the missing 10-year-old child.

NSRI duty crew responded, as did SAPS, SAPS Search and Rescue, KZN EMS (Emergency Medical Services), ICE Medical Rescue and uMhlatuze Fire and Rescue.

SAPS Search and Rescue divers located the body of the third child, who was pronounced dead on scene.

His body was taken to the police and pathology forensic services while the other two children were taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Richards Bay SAPS have opened an inquest docket.

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