Tragic drowning incident at Durban's New Beach raises safety concerns
A man in his 30s tragically drowned at New Beach in Durban
Image: Unsplash
The drowning of a 30-year-old man at New Beach on Durban’s beachfront on Saturday has once again prompted emergency services to raise the alarm about water safety during the holiday season.
According to ALS Paramedics spokesperson Gareth Jamieson, they were alerted to the drowning incident around 10am; the metro police and lifeguards had already arrived at the scene.
“Lifesavers had rescued the man from the water, but despite their efforts, he showed no signs of life and was declared deceased on arrival,” said Jamieson.
The details on how the man drowned remain unclear, and a police investigation is being conducted.
Jamieson also stressed the importance of safety for beachgoers during the festive period. “We ask people to please be cautious and responsible. Swim only in designated areas, listen to lifeguards, and never swim under the influence of alcohol or any substance,” he urged.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has also put out public alerts about hazards the ocean presents during a full-moon spring tide. This phenomenon, which peaked on Thursday, influenced coastline conditions throughout the weekend, which created dangerous conditions.
The NSRI has also urged beachgoers to adhere to all safety guidelines, including swimming only at lifeguard-protected beaches, specifically between red-and-yellow flags, avoiding alcohol when swimming, paddling, or fishing, and constantly supervising children.
Spring tides can last several days, with rapidly changing water levels that can also surprise experienced swimmers. Therefore, beachgoers were encouraged to check tide charts and to plan their activities around tide changes, the NSRI advised.
DAILY NEWS