Surfer Passes Away in Kommetjie, and Boat Trailer Tragedy in Hout Bay

Residents of the Western Cape, South Africa, have been saddened to hear of two water-related tragedies yesterday. In the first, a surfer collapsed and died in Kommetjie, and in the second a man was fatally run over by a boat trailer in Hout Bay.

Dave Smith, NSRI Kommetjie duty coxswain, said the NSRI crew had been called at 11h15 after reports that a surfer had collapsed unconscious on the rocks on the shoreline.

CMR (Cape Medical Response), False Bay Volunteer EMS and the SA Police Services were also activated.

Unfortunately it was too late, and the 52-year-old local man was sadly found to be deceased, the NSRI said in a press statement.

“It appears that the man exited the water after surfing and he indicated to a bystander that he was feeling unwell before collapsing unconscious,” said Smith.

“Our NSRI Kommetjie crew who were on the scene assisted Police and the emergency services to recover the man from the rocks and the body of the man was taken into the care of Police and WC Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.”

Police have opened an inquest docket.

Hout Bay Boat Tragedy

Meanwhile at around 13h50 in Hout Bay the NSRI medical crew responded to reports of a local man having been tragically run over by a boat trailer.

Although a bystander attempted CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation), the man unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was sadly declared deceased when the NSRI and other rescue and emergency services arrived on the scene, according to Bruce Bodmer, NSRI Hout Bay duty coxswain.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of both men.