The Sekondi township has been thrown into grief following the drowning of 20-year-old George Mends at the sea defence wall near the Sekondi Market on Monday, January 5.
The tragic incident occurred while Mends was bathing in the sea with a group of friends, including his younger brother. What initially appeared to be calm waters reportedly turned dangerous within minutes, dragging Mends into deeper waters.
Narrating the ordeal, David, a teenage friend who was with the deceased, said the group did not anticipate any danger.
“We were bathing and the water was only around our waist. Suddenly, the sea became deeper and we could no longer feel the ground under our feet. George became frightened and started struggling,” he recounted.
David added that their attempts to save Mends almost led to another tragedy.
“We tried to pull him back, but the current was too strong. I almost drowned myself. He could not swim, and within a short time the sea carried him away,” he said.
The cries for help attracted residents and traders in the area, who rushed to the scene to attempt a rescue. However, strong currents and poor visibility hindered the rescue team from reaching the young man.
The incident has left the community deeply shaken, with many residents calling for increased public education on the dangers of swimming near the sea defence wall.
