The public should be extremely cautious around the coast this week, the National Sea Rescue Institute advised, as details emerged about the drowning of two British nationals at Woody Cape beach near Alexandria on Thursday 4 December.
The public should be extremely cautious around the coast this week, the National Sea Rescue Institute advised, as details emerged about the drowning of two British nationals at Woody Cape beach near Alexandria on Thursday 4 December.
"As a result of the Spring Tide the coastline is at its most dangerous during this period because of these stronger than normal rip-currents," the NSRI said in a statement following the drowning of the two young women. The women were among five people who went out for a swim at the Woody Cape beach.
Port Alfred police spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula said the body of one was retrieved on Thursday. Mjekula said police divers were dispatched to the scene. The second was washed ashore in the early hours of Friday 5 December.
"The three survivors are a 41-year-old man and a male and a female, both 18 years old," the SRI statement read.
"The body of the deceased found on the beach last night is a 21-year-old woman and the body of the deceased found on the beach [Friday] morning is a 19-year-old woman." The five were among a group of 43 South African and British health volunteers staying together at Woody Cape, 39km west of Kenton-on-Sea.
The drowning took place at the end of day 1 of the Port Elizabeth to East London surf-ski challenge. The stage ended at Woody Cape and the NSRI said its own volunteers assisting with the race were also staying at the Woody Cape Backpackers lodge. They responded to cries for help around 8pm, the NSRI said.
The five were being swept out to sea by rip currents.
"NSRI rescue swimmers went into the surf to go to the aid of the five people, reaching them 100 meters out to sea and managing to rescue three safely," the statement said.
The three traumatised friends received counselling from the Port Elizabeth police psychological services. Mjekula said the names of the two women have not been released. Their bodies have been taken to the Grahamstown mortuary, where the post-mortem will be carried out.
"The bodies will be repatriated as soon as the post mortem is done," he said. Police said both were British nationals. At the time of going to press, police were not able to identify the name of the organisation of which they are members. The British embassy has been informed and police said representatives visited the area on Friday.
Kenton-on-Sea Station Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Johanna Froehlick also visited the site. Police have opened inquest dockets for investigation. The Institute urged the public to be extremely cautious around the coast this week.
"Spring Tide peaks with the full moon on Saturday 6 December, bringing higher than normal high tides, lower than normal low tides and hence stronger than normal rip-currents," the NSRI warned.
To report a sea-rescue emergency dial 112 from a cellphone.
