NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the scene and the buck was found to have reached the shore where it was trapped by the tide in a cave at the foot of the Eastern Head.
The buck bolted again, launched itself into the surf and swam back towards the Western Head of Knysna Heads and NSRI Knysna duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Jolen.
On arrival at the scene the buck was found to be caught in the surf in a gully in amongst rocks and being washed against rocks by waves.
NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the surf and they managed to get the buck onto rocks where the buck was found to be critically injured and without a pulse.
NSRI rescuers commenced CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) but after all efforts to resuscitate the buck were exhausted the buck was declared deceased.
The deceased buck was loaded onto the sea rescue craft and brought to shore and has been handed into the care of SA National Park rangers.
The efforts of the NSRI Knysna crew in this difficult rescue effort are commended by NSRI headquarters.
To report any sea rescue emergencies, please dial 112 from any cellphone.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
