Singapore tourists sadly die in canoe accident in South Africa

Two tourists sadly lost their lives during a canoe outing in South Africa. The male and female holiday makers were on the Crocodile River, between the Lion Park and Hartbeespoort Dam, when the tragedy occurred on Sunday afternoon.

The accident involved several canoes on the river and resulted in multiple casualties, according to the NSRI.

NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam rescue swimmers, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam medics, SRU rescue medics, Police and a paramedic from the Lion Park responded to the incident.

The canoe expedition included a group of 26 people – 20 tourists from Singapore and six local river guides.

On arriving at the scene, the NSRI determined that eight of the tourists, on four canoes, had capsized.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were conducted on a male and female tourist, while others needed rescuing from the water.

“6 tourists (males and females) and 2 river guides, both males, were rescued from the water with the cooperation of the river guides, the tourists themselves and the emergency services – the two river guides were unconscious and medical treatment was provided by paramedics to the two river guides and to 6 of the tourists,” said the NSRI.

Despite extensive CPR efforts to the 2 patients, both the man and the woman, were sadly declared deceased by paramedics.

The two river guides were stabilised by paramedics and transported to hospital where they are recovering.

The remaining six tourists who were rescued from the water were treated for injuries on the scene before being released.

The bodies of the deceased have been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

NSRI commend the Lion Park and Safaris staff for their assistance.

The tour operator is assisting the tourists and families of those affected in cooperation with the authorities.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

Condolences are conveyed to the families and friends of the deceased.

Our thoughts are with all involved in this difficult time.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland. Please donate to NSRI.org.za