Paddler Rescued, Rescuer Dies

At 09h42, Monday, 28 April, NSRI Simons Town duty crew were activated following reports of a paddler on a surf-ski appearing to be in difficulties offshore of Kalk Bay Harbour.

Almost immediately additional eyewitnesses were calling, including a Cape Town Traffic Services officer, bystanders and members of a TMNP (Table Mountain National Parks) communications group, reporting the paddler to have capsized about 150 meters offshore of the Kalk Bay Harbour wall.

NSRI Strandfontein, CMR (Cape Medical Response), the SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS and CoCT (City of Cape Town) Law Enforcement were also activated.

NSRI Simons Town crew had been at the NSRI Simons Town station 10 rescue base at the time, conducting routine training, and immediately the NSRI Simons Town rescue craft Jack&Irene was launched while NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene.

A local fishing vessel, the Emily Marie, hearing bystanders calling out for help, had seen the paddler in the water and the skipper and crew of the Emily Marie launched their fishing vessel to assist.

A local man, age 35, a Good Samaritan, seeing the man appearing to be in difficulties at his surf-ski, had jumped off the Kalk Bay Harbour wall and he swam to the paddler in efforts to attempt to go to assist.

The paddler, although in the water, was gradually swimming back towards the Kalk Bay Harbour mouth using his surf-ski to aid in his floatation.

The Good Samaritan man had reached the paddler but appeared then to be in difficulties himself.

At that stage the fishing vessel Emily Marie had reached the 2 men rescuing both men onto their fishing vessel.

An NSRI Simons Town crewman, who was at Kalk Bay at the time, had reached the Kalk Bay Habour wall and was able to relay information to the responding rescue resources.

Crew of the Emily Marie, noticing the Good Samaritan man appearing to be lifeless onboard their fishing vessel, initiated CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts while heading back into Kalk Bay Harbour where NSRI crew met with them, boarded the fishing vessel, and continued with CPR efforts.

Additional rescue crew, from the NSRI rescue craft, and CMR paramedics, joined with the ongoing extensive CPR efforts but after all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted sadly he was declared deceased.

It remains unknown the cause of death.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

The body of the deceased man has been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man.

The paddler, age 57, from Green Point was medically treated by CMR paramedics before being released requiring no further assistance.

Our thoughts, care and compassion are with all involved in this tragic incident.