Man drowns, another saved

A man drowned and another was rescued after they were swept out to sea while swimming at St Francis Bay in the Eastern Capeyesterday, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said.

NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew were activated at 12.30pm following eye-witness reports of the two being swept out to sea at Grannies Pool, coxswain Garth Shamley said.

The sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II was launched and NSRI rescue swimmers, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and Private Care ambulance services responded.

“A local surfer, known only as AJ, had managed to get one of the men safely to shore, but the second male remained missing in the surf,” Shamley said.

He was located and recovered from the surf by two local surfers and NSRI rescue swimmers.

Medics and a NSRI doctor initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts, but he was declared dead. The rescued man is in hospital. – ANA