– Edited by Bev Mortimer A young woman died while another, who reportedly tried to rescue her, went missing while swimming at the Wilderness on Friday this weekend.
The NSRI says it is believed there were rip currents where a group of students were swimming in front of Views Hotel.
Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress in front of the hotel . NSRI rescue swimmers, WC Government Health EMS and EMS Rescue, George Fire and Rescue Services and Frontier Medix ambulance services responded.
The woman student, about 22 years-old, from Gauteng, was located in an unresponsive state past the backline of the waves by NSRI rescue swimmers. A search continued for the missing youth from Ngqamakhwe, Eastern Cape, aged about 18 years.
NSRI rescue swimmers initiated chest compressions while swimming the woman to shore. An NSRI rescue craft recovered her in the mid-surf break and transferred her to the NSRI rescue craft.
On the beach CPR efforts were performed by NSRI medics, paramedics and an off-duty doctor.
The woman was transported to hospital by ambulance in a critical condition where doctors and nurses fought through the night to save her life. NSRI learned she sadly passed away during the night after all efforts to save her were exhausted.
The extensive sea and shoreline search revealed no sign of the missing teenager on Friday. On Saturday the SAPS Dive Unit continued searching for him.
NSRI Wilderness and George Fire and Rescue Services assisted police divers in the ongoing search.
Condolences have been conveyed to the family and friends of the woman and support fr the family of the missing student. Police have opened an Inquest docket into her death and opened an investigation into the missing student.