Plans to close Virginia Pier following drownings
Two metal gates have been installed at the beginning of the pier and will be chained to prevent fishermen from accessing the pier.
FOLLOWING the drowning of two fishermen, the City has taken the decision to temporarily close the entrance to the Virgina Pier. On Wednesday morning, the City’s parks department barricaded the entrance to the pier with two metal gates which will be chained to the pier.
This decision was sparked by the City’s concern about the missing railing and the area which is now covered with caution tape at the end of the pier. Sunday’s drowning saw one of the fishermen being swept off the front of the pier.
Waseem Adam (21), an engineering student and mechanic, Imran Noor-Mohamed (30) were reportedly washed out to sea after Adam slipped and fell off the pier which was not properly enclosed on Sunday. Noor-Mohamed jumped in after his friend, in a desperate attempt to rescue him, but the ocean’s strong currents overwhelmed both the men.
When Northglen News visited the site on Wednesday, several fisherman had ignored the warnings of officials and the metal gates and had climbed onto the pier.
One of the fishermen, Jason Govender, said while he was saddened by what had happened, it would not stop him from fishing.
“We understand the risks involved. I do think something needs to be done to fix the gap at the end of the pier because it is dangerous. I know other anglers will be extremely sad when they chain the gates to stop us from fishing,” he said.
In the last month there has been three drownings involving fishermen at the beach.
