UPDATE: Near drowning victim dies in hospital
You never know the long-term damage done to a near drowning victim.
A 15-year-old girl who was saved from drowning at Mnini beach on Saturday, 23 January has died in hospital.
This despite the heroic efforts of Toti leading firefighter, Stu Jeacocks who swam out to the backline to rescue her and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until paramedics arrived to take over.
“The girl was allegedly swept out to sea by a strong current,” said ER24 spokesman, Pieter Rossouw.
Amanzimtoti Fire Services responded to the call-out at about 11.30am. “On arrival the brigade found one patient on the beach who was semi-conscious,” said division commander, Kevin Lindsay.
“A second person was swimming slowly towards the beach and made it back safely.
A third person was spotted floating close to the backline about 100m from the beach. Stu brought her back to the beach and performed CPR on her. ER24 paramedics found the girl’s vital signs were improving when they arrived to take over.”
Beach superintendent, Jayce Govender assisted with transporting ER24 staff and medical equipment to the patient and getting her to the ambulance which transported her to Prince Mshiyeni Hospital for further treatment.
“Unfortunately I heard from a colleague who lives in the area that she died in hospital,” said Stu. “Unfortunately you never know the long-term damage done to a near drowning victim due to the lack of oxygen.”
Hearing a patient has died despite efforts to save them is always difficult, but Stu believes you can’t let it get to you if you want to continue to help others. “There is only so much you can do and you have to look at the positive and remember those people you have saved. It also helps to talk about it to colleagues.”
