Former rugby player Breyton Paulse and his family are reeling in shock after the untimely loss of his mother and aunt, this past weekend.
Breyton Paulse loses mom and aunt in Hermanus drowning
As reported by News24, the ex-Springbok player was in the seaside town situated on the southeast side of Cape Town with his family when tragedy struck on Sunday.
In a statement, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) confirmed that Paulse’s mother, Setta Visagie and his aunt, Marie Gelant, were washed off the Old Harbour wall and plunged into the ocean, where they drowned.
“On arrival on the scene, just off-shore of the Hermanus Old Harbour, two adult females were located and recovered onto the NSRI rescue craft,” the sea rescue institute revealed.
Despite efforts made by rescue officials to recover Paulse’s mother and aunt from the ocean, it was a little too late to resuscitate the sisters.
“CPR efforts commenced. They were brought to the NSRI rescue station, where CPR was continued by paramedics. Sadly, after all efforts to resuscitate the two females were exhausted, they were declared deceased by paramedics,” the statement read.
An inquest docket was opened by Hermanus police, who are expected to comb through evidence and eyewitness statements to ascertain facts about the tragic deaths that befell Paulse’s mom and aunt.
The former rugby player confirmed the incident in a short statement to Netwerk24.
“It is very sad. Pray for me and my family,” he wrote.
Tributes from fans and his peers have since poured in. Paulse has yet to make a public statement about the tragic loss.
Nothing matters more than family, which is why Breyton Paulse's grief must be unimaginable. Strength and prayers to rugby's perennial good guy.
— Clinton van der Berg (@ClintonV) July 4, 2022
My brother @BreytonPaulse. Words cannot describe our truly sorry I am for your loss. Sending love and light from my family to you and yours. Sincere condolences. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Gasant Abarder (@GasantAbarder) July 4, 2022
Heartbreaking news. SO incredibly sorry for your loss @BreytonPaulse
— SARugbyChick (@SARugbyChick) July 3, 2022