Update

SEDGEFIELD NEWS - People who were at Swartvlei Lake outside Sedgefield have been commended by the NSRI for their attempts to save a man who drowned there early on Saturday afternoon, 30 January.

These members of the public were quick to spring into action, according to Garth Dominy, NSRI Wilderness station commander, who stated that the bystanders reported a drowning in progress.

"At 12:47, NSRI Wilderness rescue swimmers, the SA Police Services, Knysna Fire and Rescue Services and ER24 ambulance services responded to a call from Swartvlei Lake," Dominy said. 

"On arrival at the scene it was determined that a local man had recovered an adult male from under the water and then, assisted by others, had initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts."

Sadly, however, the paramedics declared the man dead at the scene. 

"The body of the deceased man was taken into the care of Western Cape Government Health Forensic Pathology Services and police have opened an inquest docket," Dominy said.

The daughter of the deceased man, aged 13, and three boys, cousins of the girl aged 13,12 and 6, all from Knysna, were taken into the care of the police.

Dominy commended the members of the public - a man and his two children - who assisted at the scene. Another three people who stopped their vehicle to assist at the scene were also commended.

"The NSRI requests that people who were on the scene and who assisted and three others who we believe stopped their vehicle to assist when they noticed the commotion, contact the NSRI on 082 380 3800," he said.

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