PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Tragedy struck in Plettenberg Bay on Saturday evening, January 6, when a local boy drowned.

At about 18:30 the local NSRI crew responded to a call for assistance after a group of children swimming at the Beacon Island Hotel found a five-year-old at the bottom of the hotel’s swimming pool.

NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said the children recovered the boy from the pool and bystanders started CPR efforts while assistance was being sought.

Lambinon said the local NSRI medical crew, who carry with them advance life support medical kits in their vehicles, were on the scene within minutes.

An emergency room trauma nurse from the local Mediclinic - who was off duty but nearby at the time of the call-out - also responded and Medlife ambulance services were also activated.

“On arrival, NSRI medics and the ER trauma nurse took over CPR from the bystanders, and CPR efforts were assisted by a doctor, who was at the hotel at the time, and joined by Medlife paramedics on their arrival,” Lambinon said.

He added while CPR efforts continued, the child was transported to hospital by ambulance where doctors continued with CPR in hospital.

“Sadly after all efforts to resuscitate the child were exhausted, the child was declared deceased.”

Police have opened an inquest docket.

Lambinon said trauma counsellors were attending to family of the child. His mother is believed to be a local salon employee.

Lambinon commended the children who pulled the child from the water, the bystanders, their parents who initiated CPR, and the doctor that assisted.

ARTICLE: YOLANDE STANDER

'We bring you the latest Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route news'