PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A three-year-old boy has died after reportedly falling into a stormwater pond in New Horizons, Plettenberg Bay, on Friday afternoon.

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), emergency services were activated at about 17:16 after receiving reports that the toddler had gone missing while playing with friends near a stormwater reservoir bordering the N2.

Plettenberg Bay First Responders and the South African Police Service were already on the scene when children who had been playing with the toddler indicated that he had fallen into the pond.
A large-scale search operation involving community members, the child's family and emergency services was immediately launched.

NSRI Plettenberg Bay dispatched rescue swimmers and a rescue vehicle to assist. Plettenberg Bay Fire and Rescue Services, Western Cape Government Health EMS, Bitou Law Enforcement, Bitou Traffic Services and Bitou Municipality also responded.

Rescue teams deployed water pumps to drain the pond, where the child's body was later found.
The body was recovered in cooperation with the South African Police Service and Western Cape Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an inquest into the incident.

The NSRI extended its condolences to the child's family, adding that the family and others affected by the tragedy are receiving support from the police and municipal authorities.

NSRI Plettenberg Bay dispatched rescue swimmers to a stormwater pond in New Horizons after reports that a three-year-old boy had gone missing. The child was later found deceased.

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