One Deceased and Five Survive Boat Capsize

At 17h32, Sunday, 19 July, NSRI Durban duty crew were activated following reports of a boat capsized in the surf zone at Beachwood, Durban North.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene while NSRI crew responded to the NSRI Durban station 5 rescue base to prepare to launch rescue craft.

The NSRI Durban rescue vehicle was dispatched.

The KZN surf rescue network had been alerted and the SA Police Service, Police Search and Rescue, Metro Police Search and Rescue, Durban North Fire and Rescue Services and eThekwini lifeguards responded to the scene.

3 young males, teenagers and a child, who were on the capsized boat and who had been assisted to get to shore by their uncle (the boat skipper), they had been walking towards a service station to raise the alarm when a bystander, a Good Samaritan, came across them and he transported them to a nearby service station where the alarm was raised. He has been commended for his actions.

Marshall Security, Police and ambulance services, responded to the service station to gather additional information from the 3 survivors and to check on their welfare.

It was confirmed that 6 crew had been on the boat when it capsized.

A teenager, age 17, who had initially been reported to be missing, was located and he was transported to the service station to be reunited with the other survivors. An adult male survivor, the skipper of the boat, age in his late 30’s, he was located and he was transported to the service station. Family gathered at the service station and family attended at the beach.

On Police, Metro Police, the eThekwini lifeguards senior supervisor, NSRI and emergency services arriving at the beach one man, age 41, (the father of three of the survivors, boys, ages 19, 17 and 8 and who is the cousin of the skipper) was located at the beach, sadly deceased.

4 survivors were transported to hospital by ambulance. They are 2 brothers, age 19 and 8, their uncle, age late 30’s, and a friend, age 17. They are expected to make full recoveries.

A 5th survivor, one of the 3 brothers, age 17, was medically assessed by paramedics and not injured he was not transported to hospital.

The body of the deceased man has been taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

We believe that the 22 foot boat had launched at Durban Ski-boat Club earlier in the day to go fishing with the 6 local crew onboard – the deceased, his 3 children, his cousin, and a friend of the children. It appears that while returning from fishing the boat had capsized in waves offshore at Beachwood along the Durban North Shore.

A group of local fisherman who live in the area had reportedly witnessed the boat capsize. They had assisted at the scene where they attempted bystander CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts on the 41 year old male.

The skipper, the cousin of the deceased, reportedly assisted the 3 teenagers and the child to get to shore.

The capsized boat has washed ashore and is in the care of Police and Metro Police, assisted by Durban Ski-boat Club.

Family and the survivors are in the care of Police.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man. Our thoughts and care are with the survivors and the families in this difficult time.