Three-year-old boy drowns in stormwater pond in Plettenberg Bay
· The South African
A three-year-old boy has died after reportedly falling into a stormwater pond in Plettenberg Bay, prompting a multi-agency search and rescue operation.
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The tragedy unfolded on Friday, 17 July, in the New Horizons area, bordering the N2, after the child was reported missing while playing with friends.
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated at 17:16 following an urgent request for assistance from local volunteer emergency medical service First Responders, who were already on the scene alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS).
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Children pointed rescuers to the pond
When emergency teams arrived, children who had been playing with the toddler told rescuers he had fallen into a pond at a nearby stormwater reservoir.
First Responders, SAPS, community members and the child’s family immediately began searching the area, while the NSRI dispatched rescue swimmers and a rescue vehicle.
The rescue team was equipped with long poles from the South African Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) to help search the bottom of the pond.
Body recovered after pond drained
Additional emergency services, including Plettenberg Bay Fire and Rescue Services, Western Cape Government Health EMS, Bitou Law Enforcement, Bitou Traffic Services and Bitou Municipality, also responded.
Rescue and municipal teams deployed water extraction pumps to drain the stormwater pond.
Once the water level had been lowered, the body of the three-year-old was found. He was declared deceased at the scene.
The child’s body was recovered in cooperation with SAPS and Western Cape Government Health Forensic Pathology Services before being taken into their care.
Police investigation underway
Police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The NSRI extended its condolences to the child’s family.
“Our condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased child,” the organisation said, adding that the family and others affected by the tragedy are receiving support from police and municipal authorities.