RESCUE OPERATIONS / 20 NOVEMBER 2012

Swimmer missing

At 17h55 on Tuesday, 20th November Richard's Bay volunteers were called out following reports of a drowning at Main Beach, Richard's Bay.

Cornel du Toit, NSRI Richard's Bay station commander said that the duty crew and ER24 ambulance services responded.

On arrival on-scene in fading light a search commenced using spot lights for a 38 year old Johannesburg man who had reportedly disappeared in the surf while swimming near the Dolosse.

It appears that the man, a construction worker, was on the beach after work with fellow contractors and a supervisor and he had gone for a swim but had disappeared at approximately 17h10 in the surf while swimming. It is unclear why the alarm was raised only much later.

Despite an extensive search no sign of the man has been found and Police have been informed. They will open an inquest docket and the Police Dive Unit are due to continue a search for the missing man, who is presumed to have drowned, from tomorrow.

It is suspected that the man got into difficulty in strong rip-currents that run next to the dolosse and he was reportedly swimming in his clothes which we suspect contributed to his getting into difficulty as the water laden clothing may have weighed him down in the surf.

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