Closure for Richards bay drown victims’ families
Strong swimmers Dhruval Dholakia (28) and Rene Vereen (37) were swept out to sea by a 'freak current' last Tuesday
FAMILY and friends of Dhruval Dholakia and Rene Vereen, who drowned while swimming at Palm Beach last Tuesday, have finally got closure after the recovery of Dhruval’s body on Thursday afternoon.
The incident occurred just after 5pm after the friends and their families had enjoyed Human Rights Day at the beach.
The victims, along with a third friend, Divesh Bhooshun, had been swimming in waist deep water when a ‘freak current’, as described by paramedics on scene, pulled them under and swept them out.
An experienced diver, Divesh was able to make it to shore by himself, but Rene and Dhruval were not so lucky.
After dispatching Sea Rescue Spirit of Round Table II, NSRI members recovered Rene and took him to shore.
Paramedics performed advanced resuscitation but were unable to save him.
An immediate search of the greater area did not reveal Dhruval’s body, and an extensive search, both on land and at sea, resumed the following morning.
Volunteers, as well as NSRI, the police dive unit and SAPS officers’ continued search eventually led to the recovery of Dhruval’s body, which was on Thursday afternoon spotted from the north pier.
A memorial service for Rene was held at the Presbyterian Church of Richards Bay on Saturday morning, at which family and friends gathered to pay their last respects.
Dhruval’s body will be repatriated to his native India.
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