PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Two Nature’s Valley youngsters aged eight and 10 were drowned at Grootrivier Lagoon in Nature’s Valley on Saturday after a kayak with three children aboard capsized.

The third child reached the shore and raised the alarm, said Craig Lambinon of NSRI Communications. 

NSRI Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley Coastwatchers were activated at about 14:44 on Saturday 30 September after receiving the report of the drowning in progress.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded in the NSRI's rescue vehicle while NSRI rescue swimmers, near to the scene, responded in their private vehicles. 

Two NSRI rescue craft were launched.

Using the spring-high tide both rescue craft were able to navigate the lagoon mouth to enter into the Nature's Valley Lagoon. An NSRI Plettenberg Bay ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle), stationed at Natures Valley, was also dispatched.

Police as well as the police dive unit, WC Government Health EMS and Plettenberg Bay First Responders responded. It was reported that three local boys, believed to be aged 8 and 10, were on a kayak on the lagoon when they encountered trouble.

Upon arrival at the scene a child was located and recovered from the water. CPR efforts were applied but efforts to resuscitate the child were unsuccessful and, sadly, he was declared deceased. During a search the second child was located and recovered from the water, but sadly the child was declared deceased.

"A counsellor assisted the surviving child who was then taken into the care of his parents. The bodies of the two deceased children were taken into the care of WC Forensic Pathology Services," said Lambinon.

"Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased children."

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