Despite the closure of beaches in KwaZulu-Natal following disastrous floods, a person had to be rescued from Sheffield Beach on the North Coast on 18 April.
A group of holidaymakers visited the beach even though all KZN beaches are closed. One person began to struggle, but fortunately the rest of the group was able to pull the person from the water and call for assistance.
‘The patient was stabilised on scene by IPSS advanced life support before being transported by IPSS Medical to a nearby facility for further care,’ said IPSS medical rescue spokesperson, Dylan Meyrick to IOL.
‘We urge people not to swim at this time. Rescue teams are stretched thin as they continue to search for missing victims. By conducting a rescue in the current conditions the lives of rescue personnel and lifeguards are put at risk,’ he added.
Beaches in the province remain closed until further notice and the public is urged to stay away from beaches as all resources are mobilised for rescue efforts from the flood.
‘Please do not attempt to swim in rivers or the ocean at present, today [Sunday] we have had five rescues south of Amanzimtoti which is putting everyone’s lives at risk including the lifeguards’ Meyrick concluded.
The floods also broke open the mouth of the St Lucia estuary, allowing the Umfolozi River to re-enter the Indian Ocean. This will hopefully flush away much of the muddy sediment accumulated along the banks and invite new species of saltwater fish into the estuarine waters.
Picture: Screenshot
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