Cape Town – A fisherman died from a heart attack on Saturday while on board a fishing vessel in Struuisbaai, Western Cape, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said.

The captain called the authorities to the ship and gave the 64-year-old man Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) while he waited for rescue workers, said NSRI spokesperson Reinard Geldenhuys.

A boat, helicopter, swimmer and medics were sent to the scene.

“On arrival… five nautical miles off-shore the Agulhas lighthouse, the NSRI rescue swimmer was hoisted from the helicopter onto the casualty boat and the patient was secured into a stretcher,” said Geldenhuys.

Once he was transferred to the rescue ship, the man was hoisted into the helicopter.

He was given medical care as he was being transported to shore but he did not survive.

“Despite the extensive medical rescue effort on the helicopters arrival in Struuisbaai the doctor declared the man to be deceased,” said Geldenhuys.

SAPA