Valentine’s Day turned sour for first responders in Durban after attending to two drowning incidents at different locations.
In the first incident at 13:30, a man believed to be in his sixties drowned while swimming at La Lucia Beach, Durban North.
Witnesses said they saw the man leave his clothes on the beach and enter the water.
When the man disappeared under the water, witnesses alerted authorities.
“A search was done, however, the man was not found and is presumed drowned,” said Netcare 911 Spokesperson Shawn Herbst.
In another incident at 14:55, Netcare 911 said paramedics responded to a drowning at the uMdloti Beach tidal pool, North of Durban.
“Reports indicate that an elderly male got into difficulty while swimming after he was pulled out to the backline,” said Herbst.
“The patient was spotted by lifeguards who swam to the gentleman’s aid.
“Lifeguards pulled the man out of the water who then rapidly started CPR after he was found unresponsive and not breathing.”
Herbst said when paramedics arrived, a full advanced life support resuscitation was initiated.
“Despite best efforts, the patient’s condition rapidly deteriorated and he was sadly declared deceased on the scene,” said Herbst.
