Easter Sunday turns tragic for Joburg visitor at Gonubie River
· The South African
A 30-year-old man from Johannesburg has drowned in the Gonubie River near East London despite extensive rescue and resuscitation efforts on Sunday afternoon.
According to NSRI East London station commander Cathrine Prentis, the incident occurred at approximately 14:45 when Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) lifeguards on duty at Gonubie Beach were alerted by a man running towards them raising the alarm.
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The man reported that a drowning incident had occurred almost a kilometre upstream on the Gonubie River.
Lifeguards rushed to the scene
BCMM lifeguards responded immediately while simultaneously alerting the NSRI East London, Priority Care ambulance services, and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Upon arrival at the scene, lifeguards found an adult male who had already been pulled from the water by a local teenager. Lifeguards immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an attempt to revive the man.
Paramedics soon joined the rescue effort, but despite prolonged attempts to resuscitate him, the man was declared deceased at the scene.
Local teenagers praised for rescue attempt
Reports indicate that the deceased had been visiting the river with two friends and colleagues from Johannesburg when the incident occurred.
It is believed that two of the men had been swimming when one of them got into difficulty and disappeared underwater.
Three local residents – an adult man and two teenage brothers – witnessed the incident unfold.
One of the teenagers entered the water to assist and, with the help of his brother, managed to locate the man and bring him back to the shoreline.
The adult man ran to the nearby beach to raise the alarm and seek help from lifeguards.
Investigation underway
The body of the deceased has been taken into the care of police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the drowning.
The NSRI has extended condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased during this difficult time.
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