An act of selflessness quickly turned tragic at Monwabisi Beach on Saturday.

 

A 12-year-old girl has drowned while a 34-year-old man who tried to save her has gone missing.

 

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the man who is not related to the girl is believed to have rushed to her aid after she got caught in a rip current and experienced difficulty in the water.

 

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said that upon arrival from authorities, they found the girl unresponsive on the beach and the man missing in the surf zone.

 

The girl was rushed to hospital and declared dead on arrival.

 

Lambinon added that despite an extensive sea and shoreline search, there were no signs of the missing man. SAPS’ water policing and diving services are continuing the search for the missing man.