City reunites British family – confirm death of man

A British family that was only on-board the Miroshga boat that capsized yesterday afternoon near Hout Bay lost contact with each other after the horrific accident.

During the rescue efforts yesterday the NSRI has recovered the body of Peter Philip Hyett (64 years) that was declared deceased on the scene and taken to the Salt River State Mortuary. An autopsy will be conducted tomorrow by the Forensic Pathology Services of the Western Cape Government: Department of Health to establish the cause of death.

His wife, Suzanne Linda Hyett (63 years), was rescued and taken to Grootte Schuur Hospital after the ordeal for further medical treatment and observation overnight. She has been discharged this morning by the medical doctor on-duty.

The daughter, Helen Hyett (37 years), that was also been rescued and taken to the False Bay Hospital, whereafter she was been discharged last night.

The City’s disaster response teams throughout the day visited the seven (7) hospitals where the patients have been admitted to.

The officials were successful in linking and reuniting the family with each other and with the identification of the body remains of their husband and father.

The family was on vacation in Cape Town since 01 October 2012; and was due to depart South Africa today.

The City provided assistance by making arrangements with the place of accommodation to extend their stay until such time the necessary arrangements are finalised in respect of repatriating the body remains and travel arrangements back to the United Kingdom.

The City wishes to extend its sincere thanks appreciation to the Cape Town Consul General of the British High Commission for their assistance in aiding with further arrangements to their citizens during this time of crisis.

The British citizens hail from The Vale of Glamorgan a county borough in Wales.

Another two (2) British citizens that were trapped in the hull of the boat for almost four (4) hours were rescued late last night. Bronwyn Armstrong (age unknown) was treated at Vincent Palotti Hospital and been discharged last night; as well as Lynette Hartmann (55 years) that were admitted to Constantiaberg Med-Clinic that was discharged this morning.

The City advises that any tourist that was on-board the boat that has lost their passports and travel documentation to contact the Disaster Operations Centre to facilitate an emergency application for the replacement of the credentials with the British High Commission

· Telephone: 080 911 HELP (4357) (South African only)

· Telephone: +27 (0) 21 597 6000 (International Callers)

· E-mail: disaster@capetown.gov.za or wilfred.solomons@capetown.gov.za



Issued by: Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town

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Source: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects & Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town