Two swept out to sea while conducting a baptism ritual

By Kim Saulse
19 April 2010

Two people have died after they were swept to sea while conducting a baptism ritual on a Wilderness beach.

National Sea Rescue Institute spokesperson Hennie Niehaus says the incident unfolded 100m from where a 35-year-old fisherman was swept off the rocks and into the sea a few hours earlier.

Niehaus says NSRI Wilderness, the South African Police Force and the Metro Ambulance and Rescue Services were activated following a reported drowning in progress 3km West of Ballots Bay.

“Despite an extensive search, the fisherman could not be found.

They were called back after reports that a 56-year-old female sangoma and a man were both swept out to sea while conducting a ritual,” Niehaus said.