Hout Bay Beach Visitors Warned of Dangerous Sand After Resident Sinks to Shoulders

A Hout Bay resident in the Western Cape of South Africa had a frightening experience this morning whilst walking her dogs, when she suddenly sank into the sand on the beach, right up to her chin!

Joanne Frost said on social media: “I sank up to my shoulders!! Thank God no horses fell in. Best to avoid that area for a few days.”

She also thanked Rita Chloe Osborne, from Deep Blue Security, who helped her after her harrowing experience.

Sadly, despite Frost’s shouts for assistance during the incident, no passersby had stopped to help!

Osborne posted an urgent warning to a Hout Bay group for beach-goers to stay away from that part of the beach. It’s not certain if this part of the beach is quick sand or a sink hole.

Osborne said: “Please be careful around this area on the Hout Bay Beach. There’s a resident that got stuck with her dogs up to her chin. Shouted for assistance (to) people walking on beach… no one assisted her.

“She eventually got out and came to Deep Blue Security for assistance. We have put reeds around it and have informed Watchcon and law enforcement to sort out. Please be careful. Thank you.”

Osborne told SAPeople that a colleague who has lived in the area for seven years said this has never happened before during that time period. Others have confirmed this is the first time it’s happened on Hout Bay Beach. (However, some who have lived in the area longer say they can recall similar incidents in the past, over 15 years ago, particularly “after rains”.)

SAPeople contributor Lee Peacock has spoken with Disaster Management who say they will be sending out a team to investigate and cordon off the area.