Tragic fall prompts inquest into British dentist's death in KwaZulu-Natal
A 68-year-old man, believed to be a dentist from the UK, died after he fell from his third-floor flat while under the influence of alcohol early on Saturday morning in Ramsgate on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that Margate police have registered an inquest docket for investigation into the incident.
Netshiunda said a 68-year-old man reportedly fell from a flat on Milton Road at Ramsgate in the early hours of Saturday, August 23, 2025.
“Reports indicate that the deceased lived alone in his flat and was drinking when he fell. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead,” he said.
KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service spokesperson Chris Botha said emergency medical personnel were dispatched following reports of a person who had fallen through a third-floor window and arrived at the scene at approximately 1am.
“Upon arrival, paramedics found that the patient, a visiting dentist from the UK, had critical injuries from the fall,” said Botha.
He said Advanced Life Support interventions were immediately initiated at the scene.
However, Botha said while the patient was being transported to a nearby hospital, his condition deteriorated significantly.
As a result, he said paramedics began resuscitation efforts immediately.
“Despite the dedicated efforts of our emergency medical team and hospital staff, the patient was sadly declared dead at the hospital,” said Botha.
KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service extended condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.
Last September, the body of a 47-year-old British tourist was recovered from the surf zone at a remote beach at the Cape Vidal Nature Reserve by National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) rescue swimmers after he got into difficulty while swimming.
According to reports in 2022, KZN police opened an inquest docket into the death of a 42-year-old British man, who got caught in rip currents while swimming at Thompsons Bay beach in Ballito on the KZN north coast.
karen.singh@inl.co.za