First victim of Hout Bay accident identified

14 October 2012 - 20:54 By Sapa
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PLUCKED FROM THE SEA: A survivor is carried from the rescue vessel to a waiting ambulance after a tourist vessel capsized off Hout Bay
PLUCKED FROM THE SEA: A survivor is carried from the rescue vessel to a waiting ambulance after a tourist vessel capsized off Hout Bay

The first person to die after a charter boat capsized in Hout Bay has been identified on Sunday as a British tourist, the City of Cape Town said.

Peter Phillip Hyett, age 64, died after the charter boat, The Maroshka, capsized near Duiker Island around 3pm on Saturday, the city said in a statement.

He had been on holiday to Cape Town with his family: his wife Suzanne Linda Hyett, age 49, and his daughter Helen Hyett, age 37.

Suzanne Linda Hyett was taken to the Grootte Schuur hospital for treatment and observation. She was discharged this morning.

Helen Hyett was taken to the False Bay hospital and was discharged on Saturday night.

The family had been on holiday in Cape Town since October 1 and were due to return on Sunday, the day after the accident.

He was one of two people to die in the accident.

The body of John Roberts, a crew member, was found 21 metres below the surface at 11am on Sunday by divers of the SA Navy.

About 34 people were rescued and taken to the Hout Bay NSRI sea rescue station.

Initially the NSRI said that four people died and that 33 or 34 people were on board, but later revised the numbers.

The NSRI said it was initially believed that up to six people were missing and this number was later revised to four people still missing.

It was later confirmed that 38 people had been on the boat when it capsized.

The SA Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has deployed a tug boat to recover the charter boat and begin an investigation into the cause of the accident.

When the NSRI arrived they found that some people had been rescued by two charter boats. At the time, four people were still missing, three women and one man.

Three were found inside the hull, using air pockets to breathe. They were all rescued by divers.

Two of the women are believed to be from the United Kingdom.

Of those rescued, 24 people were hospitalised for further medical treatment. Twelve people did not require to be hospitalised and were assessed and treated for hypothermia before they were released.

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