Cape Town - A local man from Yzerfontein has died on Saturday after having difficulty in the surf while swimming, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said.
On Saturday at 13:20, the NSRI Yzerfontein duty crew were activated following police reports of a drowning in progress at Rooipan se Klippe.
"The sea rescue craft Sonja was launched and NSRI crew responded directly to the scene to join police on the scene and a local doctors assistant, a paramedic, also responded.
"On arrival on the scene a 38-year-old local man, reported to have been in difficulty in the surf while swimming, was recovered by NSRI rescue swimmers from the surfline and recovered to the beach where CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts commenced," said NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon.
"Despite extensive CPR efforts, after all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted, sadly he was declared deceased.
"The body of the man has been taken into the care of the Government Health Forensic Pathology Services and Police have opened an inquest docket.
"Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man."
In a separate incident in Port Alfred, a 28-year-old man drowned in a swimming pool on Friday at a local chalet.
Stephen Slade, NSRI Port Alfred station commander, said: "NSRI Port Alfred crew and medics responded to join Atlas Security officers, EC Government Health EMS and the SA Police Services on the scene and Gardmed ambulance services activated."
"On arrival on the scene our NSRI medics joined paramedics continuing in extensive CPR efforts on a 28-year-old male from Bisho.
"Despite extensive CPR efforts, after all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted, sadly the man was declared deceased," Slade said.