Lifesaving SA: No beach drownings over Christmas, New Year weekends
Lifesaving SA has thanked beachgoers for heeding its public safety advice during celebrations over Christmas and New Year's Day.
It says there were no reports of fatal drownings over these weekends.
"We had well over 4 000 lifeguards on duty, probably over 100 beaches and inland waterways," says president Dhaya Sewduth.
"So it was quite a huge task considering the hot weather conditions in many parts of the country and considering that there were large crowds on the beaches."
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He says while lifeguards worked hard to keep bathers safe at beaches, there were some tragedies at other places.
A 14-year-old boy lost his life while swimming in the eMvoti River.
In Ladysmith, one person drowned in a pool.
"Unfortunately, there were drownings in other parts of the country where people are either bathing outside of the bathing areas, remote or secluded areas and unpatrolled areas."
