Tragedy Strikes at Camps Bay Beach: Two Young Girls Found Unresponsive in Tidal Pool
On Monday, December 23, a tragic event occurred at Camps Bay Beach when two young girls, ages 12 and 13, were found unresponsive in a tidal pool while swimming with friends. The day at the beach quickly turned dire.
At around 3:52 PM, the discovery of the girls led to an urgent response. They were with their parents, who had traveled from Khayelitsha for a day at the beach. Upon finding the girls unresponsive, bystanders immediately alerted emergency services. Rescuers from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) arrived promptly and initiated resuscitation efforts, including CPR. The initial response was provided by City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officers and lifeguards who worked swiftly to restore cardiovascular function.
The 12-year-old girl was given immediate medical attention and transported to a nearby hospital by Netcare 911. Her condition was reported as serious but stable, with medical staff working hard to ensure her care. Unfortunately, the 13-year-old girl, despite extensive efforts, sustained critical injuries and required airlifting for advanced medical treatment. She was transferred by EMS/AMS Skymed; however, she was pronounced dead later that night. Meanwhile, the 12-year-old is currently recovering in the hospital with her family present.
Following this tragic incident, Craig Lambinon, an NSRI representative, expressed sincere sympathies on behalf of all involved services to the grieving family and hoped for the surviving girl’s swift recovery.
On the same day, in a separate incident, police divers, assisted by NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam and the Special Rescue Unit (SRU), recovered the body of a fisherman from Hartbeespoort Dam, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with water activities.
In response to recent events, Patricia van der Ross, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services, urged parents to prioritize their children’s safety at the beach. She recommended implementing safety measures such as using IdentiKidz tags to help locate missing children. Recent efforts have tagged over 10,756 children across 15 beaches, resulting in nine successful reunions with their families, demonstrating the effectiveness of these safety measures. Van der Ross emphasized the importance of swimming only at supervised beaches, adhering to designated swimming areas, and the necessity of adult supervision, particularly noting the dangers of alcohol consumption while supervising children near water.
About The Author
