Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, has urged the public to refrain from bringing alcohol onto beaches as related – often tragic – incidents continue to occur around the country.
Beachgoer was warned
In a post shared on Facebook on Christmas day, Smith confirmed that lifeguards had warned a bather, presumed to be under the influence, not to dive off rocks into a shallow area.
However, the bather proceeded to dive and when he failed to resurface, lifeguards sprang into action.
The body of the diver was recovered but CPR attempts were unsuccessful.
In a second post, Smith reiterating that alcohol and water do not mix.
Long range CCTV footage and drones will be used to identify offenders who will consequentially be fined while their alcohol will be impounded.
Smith ended by reminding the public that mixing alcohol with water is known to be deadly.
‘In the first 18 days of December, members have confiscated over 1 500 bottles of alcohol off the beaches, just from Muizenberg to Sea Point. If that prevented one death, then it’s a job well done. But we are likely to see figures doubling this over the next two weeks,’ cautioned Smith.
How often do you encounter drunk beachgoers?
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Image: Alderman JP Smith Facebook
