A 31-year-old woman from Philippi drowned at Mnandi Beach on Sunday, January 20, at 7.30am.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 16 Strandfontein duty crew were notified by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) about eyewitness reports of the woman struggling at the beach.
The NSRI Strandfontein sea rescue craft Film Industry Fund Rescuer One went out and NSRI rescue swimmers arrived on the beach.
The woman was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but was declared dead, said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
“Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased female,” said Mr Lambinon.
In another incident last Wednesday, January 16, mother Megan Khayou, 40, from Portland, told the Plainsman how she saw a little boy float away with his boogie board in the ocean.
Fortunately, the lifeguard came and grabbed him out of the water. “The wind current was so strong and it pulled the boy and the lifeguard deeper into the ocean. The lifeguard pulled him to shore and acted really quick,” said Ms Khayou.
“So many things happen at Mnandi, I could teach my own children a lesson, to only swim when there are lifeguards in sight as they keep us safe.”
Ms Khayou said children need to be supervised.
“People need to know that it is quite dangerous at times, when the wind picks up or when the weather changes.
As a member of the community, they need to be made aware of children without adult supervision. They need to be kept safe and swim close to the shore to avoid being swallowed by the waves,” said Ms Khayou.