GEORGE – Fisherman missing after being swept off rocks:

At 11h05 on Thursday the 25th of July NSRI Wilderness volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a fisherman who was swept off rocks by a wave into the sea, during the spring high tide, below Thembalethu, near George, approximately 10 kilometers from our Sea Rescue base in Wilderness.Hennie Niehaus, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said:'Our Wilderness duty crew SERENDIPITY and CALTEX RESCUER and our sea rescue vehicle, the SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS and George Fire and Rescue Services also responded.'We were also able to arrange a private fixed wing aircraft, arranged by the nearby George airport tower controllers, to assist in the search.'On arrival on-scene an extensive sea, shore and air search commenced but no sign of the missing fisherman, in his 50's, from Thembalethu, was found. Police and a Police Dive Unit will continue a search today (Friday, 26th July).'It appears that the missing man and his son were fishing from rocks when a wave swept the father into the sea. It is believed that it took the son almost an hour to reach the Police station to raise the alarm. There is no cell phone signal in the area where they were fishing.'The man is presumed to have drowned.'Police have opened an inquest docket.' Serendipity