Two sisters drowned after being washed off by waves in Hermanus

Two sisters from Ceres has drowned after waves washed them off by the old harbour wall at the Hermanus Old Harbour, on Sunday afternoon.

The National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) Andre Barnard said Hermanus duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of 2 person's, appearing to be lifeless, floating in the water near to the Old Harbour, Hermanus, just after 3p.m

It was confirmed by former Springbok player, Breyton Paulse, that the two sisters was his mother and aunt. Paulse asked the public to keep him and his family in their prayers.

“On arrival on the scene, just off-shore of the Hermanus Old Harbour, 2 adult females were located and recovered onto the NSRI rescue craft,” said Andre Barnard, NSRI Hermanus station commander.

“CPR efforts commenced. They were brought to the NSRI rescue station where CPR was continued by paramedics,” he added.

Barnard said nothing could be done for the two sisters, aged 60 and 62, and was declared deceased by paramedics. Police have opened an inquest docket.

Done By: Mitchum George