A surfer in difficulty at Kellys Beach, Port Alfred.

Chris Pike, NSRI Port Alfred station commander, said: At 17h05, Monday, 26 February, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew were activated following reports of a surfer in difficulty at Kellys Beach, Port Alfred.

Our NSRI Port Alfred duty crew responded directly to the scene with medical equipment, while our NSRI rescue craft JetRib was launched, our NSRI rescue vehicle was dispatched and Gardmed ambulance services, the SA Police Services, EC Government Health EMS and Multi-Security responded following reports that a person who was in difficulty in the surf had been recovered to the beach and bystander CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts were in progress.

On arrival on the scene extensive CPR efforts continued on the adult man but after all efforts were exhausted sadly the man was declared deceased.

The body of the man was taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man.

It appears that while surfing fellow surfers noticed he may have been unconscious in the water at his surfboard in the surf zone, from undetermined causes, and they rescued him to the shoreline where they initiated CPR.

Ndlambe lifeguards and NSRI members, who were nearby at the time, joined in the CPR efforts and the alarm was raised.

The deceased, Port Alfreds Dave Mcgregor, a surfing and maritime legend. a former journalist who had a close relationship with NSRI for decades, may have suffered a medical incident while surfing.