Lifesaving South Africa urges parents to supervise children amid rising drowning incidents

Lifesaving South Africa has appealed to parents to be watchful of their children at all times during this festive season as the organisation warned of a “worrying trend” of drowning children.

“As the summer days heat up and schools close for the year, the need to supervise young children by keeping them within an arm's length is paramount. In Sekhukhune, Limpopo, reports of children (aged 14 and 9 years old) who drowned in a river are subject to police inquest. In Matjhabeng, Free State, another SAPS inquest is looking into the drownings of two children aged 10 and 11 years,” said the organisation.

These incidents follow reports of a man who was swept away to sea while crossing a river in Stillbaai on Sunday.

“On Tuesday there were reports of three men who were reported in a fatal drowning at eMdloti. Apparently two bodies were recovered, and reports were also received of a decomposed body that washed up on Westbrook beach.

“On Wednesday, a report was received of a fatal drowning very early in the morning at Wedge Beach, Central Durban. Similarly, a very sad report was received of a young NSRI volunteer who drowned during a training session at the Clanwilliam Dam in the Western Cape. Lifesaving South Africa salutes the contribution of the young volunteer and sends condolences to his family and colleagues.”

The organisation has urged parents to always supervise their children. Bathers have also been urged to only swim where and during the times that lifeguards are on duty and avoid swimming at unprotected and unpatrolled aquatic bodies.

Cape Times