Police warn on incidents of drownings

The SAPS Diving Unit in Port Elizabeth is appealing to parents/guardians to ensure that their children are safe when going to the beach or when swimming in dams.

The festive season is synonymous with summer and its heat. During this time, there is a noticeable increase in the number of drownings. On 22 October 2020, two children aged 12 and 16 drowned in two separate incidents in the Port Elizabeth area.

In the first incident, at about 11:15, the 12-year-old boy went missing while swimming in a dam at NU 12 in Motherwell. The body of the 16-year-old was retrieved from a dam at about 14:15 in Walmer. Both bodies were recovered by the SAPS Diving Unit and the PE K9 Search and rescue team.

Inquest dockets were opened for both drownings.

We urge parents to constantly talk to their children and make them aware of the possible dangers when in the water. Communication with your child is critical in the prevention of such incidents. Children who cannot swim should not be left playing alone in the water.

Also view:

Swimming Safely and Preventing Drowning