A 26-year-old Paternoster woman lost her life on Tuesday afternoon after being swept into the sea while fishing from shoreline rocks at Tietiesbaai in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve.

The tragedy unfolded around 15h47 on Tuesday, 7 October, when the woman slipped and fell into turbulent surf conditions. Her boyfriend, also 26, immediately jumped into the water in a desperate attempt to save her, while their companion rushed to seek assistance. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, with SA Police Services, Western Cape Government Health EMS, and West Coast Medical Rescue arriving first.

Paramedics treated the boyfriend, who was found in a serious condition after his rescue attempt. He was transported to hospital by West Coast Medical Rescue ambulance, where he is currently recovering. NSRI St Helena Bay and NSRI Mykonos duty crews were activated following initial reports of a possible boat capsize, which was later confirmed to be incorrect.

The NSRI St Helena Bay team launched their rescue craft, Rotary Onwards, while NSRI Mykonos dispatched a rescue vehicle to join Police and EMS Metro Rescue at the scene. In a coordinated search effort, a private drone operator assisted rescue teams by scanning the surf zone for the missing woman. The drone successfully located her in the water, guiding the NSRI rescue craft to her position. Crew members recovered her from the water and immediately began resuscitation efforts.

Despite these attempts, the rescue craft brought the woman to St Helena Bay harbour where EMS paramedics boarded and sadly declared her deceased. Police have opened an inquest docket, and the body was taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

“Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased woman,” said an NSRI spokesperson.

This incident highlights the dangers of shore angling from rocky coastlines, particularly in areas known for unpredictable surf conditions. The NSRI regularly advises coastal visitors to remain vigilant near shorelines, wear appropriate safety gear when fishing from rocks, and to be aware of incoming tides and changing weather conditions.

Local authorities remind the public that shore angling spots along the West Coast can be hazardous even in seemingly calm conditions, as unexpected large waves can sweep people off rocks with

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