Father, son and dog die after tragic KZN beach drowning

A man, his son and their dog drowned in full view of the man’s older son and a local fisherman at a beach in La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday. 

Private security firm Reaction Unit South Africa responded to the scene after being contacted by the fishermen. They told the firm the man and his 14-year-old son were having difficulty while swimming. 

Paramedics arrived at the scene to find the father lying on the surf. He was declared dead at the scene. 

The firm’s R44 helicopter then found the teenager’s lifeless body in the water after a brief low-level search. He was found about 100 metres away from where he entered the surf. 

The helicopter searching for the 14-year-old boy’s body. Picture: Facebook/Reaction Unit South Africa

Paramedics and authorities at the scene of the drowning. Picture: Facebook/Reaction Unit South Africa

Paramedics retrieved the teen’s body and he, too, was declared deceased. 

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A witness said when the father and son began to struggle in the water, their loyal dog entered the water to try and save them. Tragically, their companion drowned, with its leash still attached to the collar. 

Picture: Facebook/Reaction Unit South Africa

The deceased father’s 18-year-old son was also swept out to sea, but grabbed onto nearby rocks and managed to exit the water. He survived and witnessed the ordeal. 

Compiled by Nica Richards

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