Diver drowns off CT beach

2003-12-24 13:24

Cape Town - A 34-year-old man died near Noordhoek beach on Wednesday, after getting into difficulty in the kelp-laden waters, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said.

NSRI spokesperson for the Kommetjie station, Ian Klopper, said the man was an American, who stayed in Johannesburg and also Camps Bay for some time.

Klopper said that the man was snorkelling off the foot of Chapman's Peak with a friend.

Klopper said when the American got into trouble, his friend swam to the beach for assistance. He then went back and brought his friend ashore.

The man started cardio-pulmonary resuscitation immediately to revive the American.

Members of the NSRI and paramedics from Cape medical response tried advance life support techniques, including using a defibrillator to kick start the heart.

When a Metro emergency response helicopter arrived, the doctor assessed the patient and agreed to terminate resuscitation.

Klopper said because of the inaccessible terrain, members of mountain club were being called in to help remove the body from the shore.

He said the deceased's family had requested that his name be withheld.

- SAPA