A 22-year-old man drowned after rescuing his friend from a near drowning in a dam in Kamesh on 31 October 2020.
It is alleged that the two friends were swimming in the dam in Lapland between 11:00-13:15. Lewellan van Rooyen, 22 years of age and a 16-year-old teenager were swimming in the dam when both of them got tired. The teenager screamed for help and Van Rooyen helped him to get to safety. When the teenager turned around, he saw his friend going under water.
His body was retrieved by SAPS divers. An inquest docket was opened.
Police are urging people not to swim in dams and rivers as it is very dangerous especially if people are not good swimmers. It has been noticed that there is an increase in the number of drownings. Children and teenagers are going to the beach and swimming in areas where there are no lifeguards. Most of the drowning victims cannot swim and there are no adult supervision at the beaches or dams.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
