Jeffreys Bay – Fatal drowning

On Saturday, 4, February, at 13h41, NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Pelsrus Beach.

Paul van Jaarsveld, NSRI Jeffreys Bay station commander, said:

Kouga lifeguards had responded from Main Beach, NSRI Jeffreys Bay launched the sea rescue craft Rescue 37 Alpha, NSRI rescue swimmers, EC Government Health EMS, Kouga Fire and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services, Kouga Law Enforcement and Private Care ambulance services responded.

Lifeguards had located one adult male who was safely ashore and not injured and lifeguards launched into the surf and rescued an adult male from the mid surf break. That man was assessed by paramedics and he required no medical attention.

Three men, friends, had been swimming when they got into difficulty in the mid surf break. One man was able to get to shore and a second man was rescued by lifeguards.

One adult male remained missing in the surf.

An extensive sea and shoreline search, including NSRI rescue swimmers and Kouga lifeguards deployed into the water conducting sweeping line free dive search efforts, revealed no sign of the missing man.

A Police Dive Unit was alerted.

On Sunday morning, at 09h33, NSRI Jeffreys Bay, Police, EC Government Health EMS, Kouga Fire and Rescue Services, Kouga Law Enforcement responded to Pelsrus Beach following reports from Kouga lifeguards of a body located in shallow surf.

The body of a man was recovered by Police, assisted by NSRI and lifeguards, and taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police and Forensic Pathology Services are assisting the local family of the man who went missing on Saturday with identification.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

Condolences are conveyed to the family.