Man missing and in another incident a man was assisted in Mossel Bay

At 17h32, Saturday, 29 January, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress on the Gouritz River.

Andre Fraser, NSRI Mossel Bay station commander, said:

The sea rescue craft Rescue 15 Bravo was towed to the scene to be launched and the SA Police Services, Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services and WC Government Health EMS ambulance and EMS rescue squad responded.

On arrival on the scene, 10 kilometers along the Gouritz River, from the N2 motorway, a search was launched for a 40 year old Mossel Bay man who had disappeared under water while swimming.

2 bystanders had entered the water to try to assist and 1 of the bystanders was treated by EMS paramedics for non-fatal drowning symptoms sustained during efforts to try to find the man under water.

Despite an extensive search including our sea rescue craft that was launched and a search along the banks of the river there remains no sign of the missing man.

A Police Dive Unit are continuing in an ongoing search.

The wife and their 4 year old child are in the care of the Police.

Our thoughts are with the family in this difficult time.

Earlier, at 14h55, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew towed our sea rescue craft Rescue 15 Bravo to the Klein Brak River following reports of a drowning in progress.

Mossel Bay Fire and rescue services, WC Government Health EMS ambulance and EMS reswcue squad and By grace ambulance services also responded.

Eye witnesses reported seeing a man floating on the river lifeless.

Fire and Rescue Services officers located the man collapsed unconscious on the river bank and they administered medical care.

NSRI medics joined them and the man was carried on a stretcher to a nearby residence garden where medical treatment was continued by paramedicds.

He was resuscitated and treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms and he has made a full recovery.