CAPE TOWN - A Cape diver is suspected to have suffered from a medical condition and despite rescue efforts, died on the Betty’s Bay shore on the first day of the crayfish season weekend.
NSRI Kleinmond duty coxswain Michael Markovina said NSRI duty crew were at the base on alert for the start of crayfish season on Saturday.
At around 10:30am, they responded to eye-witness reports of bystander CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts in progress on a 46-year-old man from Eerste River, on the shoreline at Draadbaai, Betty’s Bay.
NSRI sea rescue vehicle, Law Enforcement, police and CMC ambulance services responded.
“An NSRI Kleinmond off-duty crew member was already on the scene assisting,” Markovina said.
“It appears that the man was free diving and he may have suffered a medical condition. He was recovered from the water by other divers that were there at the time and they initiated CPR.”
On the NSRI’s arrival, CPR continued and they were joined by paramedics.
“Despite extensive efforts to resuscitate the man, sadly he was declared deceased by paramedics,” Markovina said.
The body has been taken into the care of WC Government Health Forensic Pathology Services and police opened an inquest.
“NSRI are appealing to the public to be cautious around water during the summer season and we are urging the crayfishing community to adopt a safety conscious mind set especially when free diving close inshore around the shoreline,” Markovina said.
Recreational crayfishing will again be allowed from December 16-19.
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