A man drowned while three others reached the beach safely after their ski boat overturned in waves near Noordhoek in Port Elizabeth.
Members of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) went to the scene at about 9am Saturday where they, together with several provincial authorities and other emergency services, launched a search for the 37-year-old man, NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon , said.
NSRI swimmers swam in the surf and the man was found near the overturned boat.
“The man did not respond at all after the NSRI reached him. He was taken to rocks on the beach where paramedics began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Other paramedics applied advanced life-saving, but after exhausting all options, the man was pronounced dead, ”Lambinon said.
The four men had gone to sea with the ski boat earlier in the morning and had just returned from a morning’s fishing when the boat was overturned. Three of them were able to swim to the beach without assistance and were unharmed.
Police are investigating the incident, while the South African Maritime Security Authority (Samsa) has launched its own investigation.
“Our condolences go to the victims’ family and friends.”
The boat was recovered and taken out of the waves, Lambinon said.
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