Cape Town – Former Springbok Breyton Paulse’s mother and aunt reportedly drowned after being washed off a habour wall by waves on Sunday.
Two lifeless bodies were seen floating on the water near the Old Harbour in Hermanus when emergency services were called.
According to News24, a report by Netwerk24 quoted Paulse as asking for prayers following the incident.
“It is very sad. Pray for me and my family,” Paulse was quoted as saying.
A statement by National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Hermanus station commander Andre Barnard, confirmed the incident, saying that a rescue mission was launched following reports of two people “appearing to be lifeless, floating in the water near to the Old Harbour, Hermanus”.
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“NSRI rescue swimmers, our NSRI rescue vehicle and St Johns ambulance services responded directly to the scene. Western Cape Government Health EMS were activated.
“While responding additional calls were being received of two females washed off the old harbour wall by waves at the Hermanus Old Harbour.
“On arrival on the scene, just off-shore of the Hermanus Old Harbour, two adult females were located and recovered onto the NSRI rescue craft,” said Barnard.
Efforts to resuscitate them commenced but “sadly, the 2 females were exhausted, they were declared deceased by paramedics”.
Police were called and an inquest docket was been opened.
“The bodies of the two sister’s, aged 60 and 62, from Ceres, have been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services,” said Barnard.
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Picture: Twitter/@NSRI
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
