On Sunday the 2nd of February at 12h18, while at sea conducting a
stand-by for the Mossel Bay Dias Festival Air Show, NSRI Mossel Bay
volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports from
Police of two people in difficulty in the surf at Souwesia Beach near to
the Great Brak River.
NSRI Mossel Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew diverted two sea
rescue craft from the stand-by and the SA Police Services, a Police Sea
Borderline rigid inflatable craft, ER24 ambulance services and Mossel
Bay Fire and Rescue Services responded.
On arrival on-scene paramedics found a 23 year old man from George on
the beach. CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were started
but despite exhaustive efforts, the man was declared deceased by
paramedics.
An extensive sea and shoreline search was carried out for the second
person, a 23 year old man from George, but no sign of him has been
found. A Police Dive Unit have taken over the search operation for the
man who is missing and feared drowned. An inquest docket has been opened
and Police are continuing their search for the missing man.
It is believed that the two men were swimming and may have been caught in rip currents.
The body of the deceased man has been handed into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.
NSRI are urging caution around the
coast with the New Moon Spring Tide, which peaked this weekend, bringing
higher than normal high tides, lower than normal low tides, and
stronger than normal rip currents. It will continue into the later part
of this coming week.
- NSRI