Shaun Harris from Impala Park drowns on KZN South Coast
Shawn Harris' funeral service will be held on April 1 at Godfirst Church East Rand.
An Impala Park man drowned after he and his wife were caught in a rip tide at Peter Pan Bay near Port Edward on the KZN South Coast on March 22.
Speaking about the terrifying ordeal, the deceased’s wife, Tracy Harris, said she and her husband, Shaun, as well as their son, Joshua, and daughter, Abigail, decided to go to the beach as part of her husband’s birthday celebration.
It appears that she and Shaun entered the ocean in an area that is not ideal for swimming.
According to Tracy, who owns Boksburg-based Tracy Harris Properties, she was swimming to the nearby rocks when the rip tide formed.
“I was extremely exhausted and thought I was going to die, but I remained calm and prayed to God to help save me,” said Tracey, who was repeatedly slammed against the rocks.
Two lifeguards from a neighbouring beach arrived and rescued her.
Meanwhile, Shaun was also caught in the rip tide and even attempted to rescue his wife. He apparently tried to break free from the rip tide but drowned.
He was later recovered by lifeguards. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him.
According to Tracy, the autopsy confirmed that her husband drowned.
Tracy praised the lifeguards, who she said did a brilliant job of saving her life. She even invited them to attend Shawn’s funeral, where they will be recognised for going beyond the call of duty.
She described her husband as a gentle giant with a caring heart.
Tracy warned beach-goers of the dangers of rip tides.
“Before what happened to us, I didn’t even know there was something called rip tides. Never, ever even put your foot in the water where there are no lifeguards,” said Tracy.
- What causes a rip tide?
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